The prudent hold their tongues
Proverbs 10:19 - If only politicians would take this proverb to heart…
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Today’s short devotional looks at one of the proverbs of Solomon. With the start of Chapter 10 in the Book of Proverbs, we see a listing of two-line unrelated pieces of wisdom that continue into Chapter 22. Each one of these verses is like a large gold nugget of wisdom, filled with valuable advice that far too many of us fail to heed.
When this proverb popped up as a random Bible verse, it immediately resonated with me as I learned this lesson the hard way in my youth. I don’t remember the details of what brought on the situation, but for some reason while I was in 8th grade I got caught doing something I shouldn’t have and I promptly tried to cover my sin by taking the expedient of telling a whopper of a lie.
That worked for a short while, until the other student who was involved in the misdeed chose to tell the truth about what happened. Rather than doing the smart thing and choosing to confess, I doubled down on stupid and told another, even more preposterous lie. That didn’t go down well with either the teacher who was trying to get to the heart of what was going on, nor with the other student who knew I wasn’t telling the truth.
I was multiplying words, throwing out one lie after another to try covering up what I had done. The entire situation would been resolved faster and with much less embarrassment to myself had I just told the truth initially and then kept my mouth shut. At least this event, and the punishment I received from both the teacher and my parents, drove home the lesson encapsulated in the proverb.
If only politicians would take this proverb to heart…
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Help us to remember that in the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but those who restrain their lips are wise. Grant us the discernment to speak with intention and kindness, and the strength to hold our tongues when necessary. May our words always reflect Your love and bring peace to those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.