Walking with the Wise #290: Appropriate Timing

“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;


with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
—Proverbs 17:28 (NLT)

George Washington was a wise man. Perhaps one of the most unknown and admired things about him was his ability to keep his cool and hold his tongue when around others. Many of the founding fathers often marveled at how he was able to refrain from speaking too much. George Washington was not a fool by any means, but even foolish people are considered to be smart if they can keep their mouth shut.

We must use discernment regarding when to speak and what we say. The Bible says that there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”—Ecclesiastes 3:7. Knowing when to speak, when to keep silent, as well as knowing the appropriate time to say something, not to mention saying it in the right way, is huge.

As the Bible says,

“Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you be like him yourself.

Answer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be wise in his own eyes"
—Proverbs 26:4-5.

There are times when we are not to speak (Proverbs 26:4), and times when we are to speak (Proverbs 26:5), but the key is learning how to discern which is which.

God warns us of the power of our tongue (James 3:1-12) and we are to watch what we say, because we are representing Christ. We are the only Bible some people will ever read. And those who have questions about Christianity may be listening to what we say. As Paul wrote,

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person”—Colossians 4:6.

May God enable each one of us to be discerning in how we speak! May He grant us mercy and grace, and help us keep our head (and tongues) so that we may not defame His precious and holy name! Let us know when to speak and when to be silent for His glory and our joy. Amen.