WISDOM AND WORDS
Dear saints of God,
Last week, we covered how vital it is for us to use discretion with our words. Let’s look at how else the wisdom of God enables us to use our words wisely.
Wisdom enables us to know when to conceal a matter and when to talk about it. Simply sharing a secret with the wrong person is termed as unfaithfulness. Look at this Scripture:
Prov.11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. NKJV
Could you be possibly identified as being a talebearer? Usually, nobody will admit to being a talebearer. But If someone shares something with you, and they ask you not to tell anyone, how many people should you tell? Of course none! You see, gossip has some taste to it.
Prov. 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.”
Usually, someone who gossips to you will also tell about you. Beware of gossipers. Actually, one characteristic of spiritual children is gossip. The question is, can you be faithful to conceal a matter?
Can God show you something; to pray about for someone and you don’t publish it no matter how alarming it might be? There are certain things that are not open for public or corporate prayer except by the request of the individual. In the place of prayer, we speak wisdom.
Another negative way of using your words is always desperately wanting to give your opinion. Even when you know better about the subject being discussed, holding on to your opinion is a wise thing. You may need to keep quiet and learn the extent of what the other person knows. People will reveal what they don’t know even as they speak.
Prov. 18:2 New Living translation says, “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.”
I heard of a young preacher who went to see Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin. Bro. Hagin managed to get a few minutes in between services. When they met, other people were also in the room. The young preacher began talking, and talking about the latest revelation he had received from the Lord. Then bro. Hagin’s time was up and he excused himself for his next meeting. That young man missed an opportunity of a lifetime to hear the wisdom of a man who had been in ministry for over 60 years. He was only interested in giving his own opinion. Brethren, it is a good thing to be slow to speak.
James 1:19 says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Even when being asked a question, always listen carefully before answering a matter. Being a good listener can save you a lot of trouble and embarrassment. Prov. 18:13 says that he who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
Husband and wives sometimes don’t want to listen to each other. When one person is talking, the other person is “loading the gun” of self-defense. Defending yourself can cause you to end up in an argument and strife. Papa Hagin used to say that he would not defend himself even if someone accused him of killing his grandmother. It is not always necessary to defend yourself. If you’re right, you will be proven right eventually.
We’ll continue with more on wisdom and words in the next bulletin. Till then, let’s watch what we say.
