Proverbs 17.27-28
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
If we speak rashly, recklessly, and foolishly we get into trouble. If we exercise restraint and hold our tongue, we keep out of trouble. This is true relationally, socially, and politically.
Exercise verbal restraint. Don’t say more than is necessary. Exercise emotional discipline. Control your spirit; keep your spirit “cool.” Do not let mismanaged emotions speak for you. Speak with wisdom or be silent. To put it very bluntly, either speak wisely or be quiet. Better to not say anything than to speak foolishly.
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion … If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame … The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” (Proverbs 18.2,13, 17)
Listen attentively and speak carefully. Seek first to understand. Don’t offer an opinion unless you have done your homework. It is foolish to give an opinion about things you do not understand, and it is the height of arrogance to think you understand if you haven’t been diligent in doing your homework. If you speak hastily, you will embarrass yourself. Be careful about speaking too soon and without considering a broader perspective.
*Note: “Doing your homework” does not mean searching Google to find articles that agree with you and avoiding or dismissing the ones that don’t. That’s not research. That’s confirmation bias.
“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” (Proverbs 18.4)
The words of a wise person “bubble up” from a place of deep thought and insight. The image of a brook indicates that the words of the wise are life-giving to others. Their observations are careful, thoughtful, and helpful.
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” (Proverbs 18.6-8)
Don’t be impulsive with your words. Don’t gossip! Don’t be argumentative! Don’t be combative! If you speak recklessly, you are inviting conflict. Use gentle words when someone is angry. Talk to people, not about people. When you gossip, it’s like eating food that tastes good, but then makes you very sick. Heed the dire warning in this passage: Be careful that your mouth doesn’t ruin you; that it doesn’t ensnare and entrap your very soul with words of arrogance and deceitfulness.
Trust God and be disciplined. Exercise verbal restraint.
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21.23)
