Word for Today, Wed, 13 Sep 2000: To Say More, Talk Less
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
How many of you have a tendency to say too much, or to say
something inappropriate - especially at some inopportune time?
Well, "they've 'got me' once again!" I am guilty of these
things. I am learning more and more about this every day, but I
still have the tendency to talk far too much, and not listen
enough.
Like today's author of "Our Daily Bread", I do not generally
advocate extremes. Yet Jesus often used extremes to point out
the dangers of certain attitudes, and went to opposite extremes
to clarify what was really needed. I hope I can do the same
thing as I consider the "Most Important Thing" (M.I.T.) --- some
of you remember me using that term. To me, the Most Important
Thing is to learn more about God, so that I can establish and
maintain a deeply intimate relationship with Him. In order to do
that, I must talk less, rush around less, and give my Lord the
first place in all things, but most of all, in the things I spend
time thinking about (which affects what I do).
Dear Lord, I desire to give You first place in everything I do
today. Please help me, because it is a continual struggle. I
need You just as much today as I need You, every moment of every
day. Thank You that I have the assurance of Your constant
Presence. Amen.
Brother Brian
Our Daily Bread, September 13, 2000
To Say More, Talk Less
Read: Proverbs 17:27-18:4
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his
peace. -Proverbs 17:28
Bible In One Year: Proverbs 16-18; 2 Corinthians 6
In 1972, two oil tankers collided under the Golden Gate
Bridge, spilling 840,000 gallons of crude oil into the bay.
Dying birds, fish, and seals began washing up on the shore.
This prompted a man who lived near the bridge to pursue a
simpler life that would require fewer natural resources.
First, he began walking everywhere. Then a year later, he
decided to stop talking. He did so to call attention to
what was happening to the environment. It worked! As a
result of his 13 years of silence, the press took note of
his cause and his message. And in the process, he also
learned what it meant to really listen to what other people
were saying.
I'm not going to suggest that we do something as radical as
that. But what this man discovered holds true for us.
Talking less can help us not only to hear more but also to
be heard more. Often our silence is more eloquent and
noteworthy than any words we could say.
Solomon emphasized this truth in Proverbs 17:28. The wise
person hears and is heard because he knows both when to
talk and when not to. And he has a way of speaking even
when he is silent. There is wisdom in talking less in
order to say more. -MRDII
If your lips would keep from slips, Five things observe
with care: Of whom you speak, to whom you speak, And how
and when and where. -Anon.
Don't break the silence unless you can improve on it.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: How Can I Share My Faith Without An
Argument?
RBC Ministries is a member of the Gospel Communications Network
(GCN).
rbc@gospelcom.net 2000 RBC Ministries--Grand Rapids, MI 49555
=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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