Shut up and Listen

If the book of Proverbs, the wise sayings of King Solomon, could be summed up in one phrase it would be this: ‘Shut up and listen’. By remaining quiet and listening you stand to gain more than lose. If you humble yourself and remain quiet before others, the only way to go is up.

Only two things can come of talking: either you live up to the standards that you love to speak of (as expected by others due to your continuous chatter); or you fall short. Only one thing can come of staying quiet: you excel yourself in everything you do. The saying ‘the loudest person in the room is the weakest’ is quite often true.

Pride leads to loss. Humility leads to gain.

Proverbs 6:2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.

Proverbs 6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
Walks with a perverse mouth;

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter

Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.

Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Be wise in what you say and when you say it, for there is much to lose. Read the book of James to see just how destructive speaking too much can be. There will be times when you must speak up. Pray for wisdom when these times come and stand strong in your beliefs and words, there is much to gain. 

"Sticks and stones can hurt my bones but words will never hurt me"?....that is just not true.

James 1:19 "So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

-BACChristian