Don't Express Every Thought

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

King Solomon, a very wise man, once said, "A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back." (NKJ) Translated differently, "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back." (ESV)

Put more bluntly in today's terms, every thought that we have does not need to be expressed. Not everything that "comes up" (as a thought) "needs to come out" (as a spoken word). We might be better served if we kept most of our thoughts to ourselves. We should ask ourselves this question before we speak: "Is what I am about to say going to be helpful to a person or in kingdom building?" If the answer is 'yes', then go on and say it. However, if the answer is 'no' or 'not really', then we should keep it to ourselves. The Bible says, "That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matthew 12:36 Sometimes we should just keep quiet and ask for forgiveness for what we just thought.

Be Quiet Sometimes

"The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness." Proverbs 10:32

"A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter." Proverbs 11:13

"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." Proverbs 13:3

Sometimes we talk too much. Sometimes it is better not to say anything than to lie, to gossip, or to hurt someone. Some things are better left unsaid.

"To every thing there is a season ... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 7