As I read my bible this morning, I came across a "doozie" in Proverbs. Prov. 11:22 doesn't put it lightly; Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a woman with no discretion. I read on about the virtues that a godly woman should have, and I have to say, we have a lot of work to do girls! At first thought, I would consider myself to be pretty good at exercising discretion. I dress modestly, I don't use foul language, I use discretion when conducting myself around the opposite sex, etc. But the more I thought about it, I would come up with instances where I might have said something that was not flattering about someone else, where I jumped into a conversation to defend my point of view, in the meantime squashing someone else's chance to express theirs... Things like that. Most of the instances that I have been convicted in are based on things that I say. Why do we think we have to get the last word? So many times where I've ended up saying the wrong thing, I realize I shouldn't have said anything at all!
As women, I think this is an area where we really mess up. We've all been on the other end of someone's sharp tongue. It hurts! It cuts so deeply, and it is not a wound that is easily healed. We've experienced that pain, and yet we find it hard not to inflict it on others. Why? The word of God clearly shows us again and again how important it is to guard our tongues..
(I took the liberty of changing the gender in the following verses)
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy woman keeps a secret. Prov. 11:13
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. Prov. 12:6
She who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. Prov. 10:10
When words are many sin is not absent, but she who holds her tongue is wise. Prov. 10:19
A woman who lacks judgment derides her neighbor, but a woman of understanding holds her tongue. Prov. 11:12
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing. Prov.12:18
She who guards her lips, guards her life, but she who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Prov. 13:3
I want to be someone who speaks truth and love, but I also want to be wise, and use discretion as to when to be silent. I have people in my life who have been inspirational to me, and it seems that in most cases these are people who don't do a lot of talking. They use good judgment. When they do speak, they speak life and wise words, and because they aren't quick to speak, when they do have something to say, people listen! I want to be more like that!
Seriously, I wonder how many times could I have saved myself a lot of grief (and guilt) if I would've just ZIPPED IT?
