Silence is Golden

Psalm 39:1 “I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”

How many times have we been in a situation where the choice is to say something or keep our mouths shut? Like David we start off right but then comes verses 2-3, “But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:” I think this is so me. I try to be silent but eventually I end up saying what’s on my mind. At times offending those I may be trying to reach or help. For David, God reminded him of something important. ““LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” (Psalm 39:4-5) You see our lives are but a blip in time when it comes to eternity and the words we speak cannot be undone. Our challenge is to speak life and if we cannot do that to be silent.

The movies used to have a sign reminding everyone silence is golden. That in certain situations it is better to be silent than to open our mouths. As you reflect today on if the words you speak bring life or death. Focus on the words of James and make them your motto for life. “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”