The Wisdom of Silence!

The value and power of silence are greatly underestimated in our culture.  Our culture operates on a “squeaky wheel gets the grease” ethic.  Many people believe that the louder they proclaim their opinions the truer they become. In fact, they are only shouting so loudly that they drown out the sound of truth.  

Then there are those who love to hear themselves talk.  They relish the sound of their voice and cherish their forcefully shared views.  I know people who would rather speak than listen and are so uncomfortable with silence that they compulsively fill it with noise. 

It is the malady of post-modernity.  We have become so accustomed to auditory stimulation that we must play our televisions and radios in the background to drown out the silence.  The challenge is that we have become a people who are more distracted by silence than we are by the indiscriminate noise that pollutes our world. 

When I see a friend or an acquaintance they will occasionally ask, “What do you say?”  My patent reply is, “Not much, because it keeps me out of trouble.”  I have learned that I should speak only when it is necessary and even then only when the necessity is a demand specific to me. 

The Wisdom Literature of the Bible counsels us that, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”  Proverbs 18:21 The words we speak produce a return and which will return to us.  It is for this reason that a wise person finds comfort in silence. 

God goes on further in Proverbs 17:27 and says, “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent”

Silence is the womb of thought, innovation and productivity.  We become wiser by our silence because we are properly positioned to receive instruction and wisdom from other sources. Proverbs 13:3 tells us, “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” NASV

There are times when we must speak!  We must speak when what we have to contribute increases the quality of life in those to whom we speak.  Speak when your words encourage, instruct and correct; always weighing your words because you may have to wear them if they return to you.

Speak only life and discover the pleasure and power of silence.  When you quiet your mind, you are in the best posture to hear from Heaven.  Remember…

“When you are talking, you’re not learning because what you are saying, you already know!”