Scripture Reading: Proverbs 11:12; 17:27-28

“He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”(Proverbs 11:12)

If your neighbour hates you and gives you trouble know this, that he is a man who is void of wisdom, and he has no kindness in his heart.

There is not much you can do for your neighbour if he hasn’t got a heart toward the things of God. The only thing to do is to hold your peace. Don’t argue with him!

Don’t even get involved with him. Stay as far away from him as possible.

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” (Proverbs 17:27)

Shakespeare said, “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice” (Hamlet).

The Lord gives us instruction in this Proverb of how we can be wise — not because of the words we speak, but because of the words we do not speak!

There is too much idle talk! It undoubtedly is because of the sin of many words that men and women of old founded and entered monasteries and why they took the vow of silence. But that is not the answer either, for if silence pleased God He would have made us dumb, like the animals.

Words have been given us to praise God and to communicate, give cheer and express love. They have also been given to us to exhort others and to edify.

But we need to use this gift of words wisely and sparingly.

The person who has an excellent spirit ministers to others through the wise words which he speaks.

Lord, make us wise! And help us to show it by the words we speak!

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

You do not have to be very wise to appear to be wise. Anyone who holds his peace in the time of dispute and argument is a wise person. There is no end to argument and discussion. Any fool can argue and talk back. It takes a man of conscience and self-control to remain silent in the hour of contention.

Shut your lips. Don’t join in when the discussion causes anger or pain.

Hold your peace and you will be blessed, for Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Gems of Wisdom by Gwen Shaw
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