Beech Tree News Network

In the long ago, Solomon said, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23). This is certainly a true statement! Many times, our mouths get us in trouble, don’t they? James said that the tongue is dangerous because it is “full of deadly poison” and can “defile the whole body” (Jas. 3:6, 8). Proverbs 10:19 states: “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Geoffrey Chaucer wisely said, “God in his great discretion walled a tongue with teeth.” Friend, let us be mindful of what the Bible says about the sins associated with speech and remember that while there are times to speak, there are also many times that we need to be silent!

    When ought you be silent? Solomon gave some good advice when it comes to controlling speech. You need to be silent when …
•    You are tempted to talk instead of work: “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to poverty” (Prov. 14:23).
•    You are tempted to lie: “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies” (Prov. 14:5).
•    You are tempted to joke about sin: “Fools make a mock at sin …” (Prov. 14:9).
•    You are tempted to “shoot off at the lip”: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecc. 5:2).
•    You are tempted to curse, or slander men: “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (Jas. 3:9-10).

    Remember, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Prov. 17:27-28)!

    We can also read James chapter three and see the warnings concerning the tongue. It is “an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:8). After reading James three, it ought to be abundantly clear that there are definite times when a person needs to be quiet.

    Lest we get the wrong impression, there are also times when a person needs to speak out (Isa. 58:1; II Tim. 4:2; etc.). Jesus told His disciples, “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops” (Matt. 10:27). Let us never be ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Let us speak up and speak out when it comes to the gospel and letting folks know about salvation in Christ (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)! However, there are also times when silence is the best answer for the situation. Let us not get those times confused!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167