Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

I am reminded of the saying, “It is better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” This fits in with many other passages, particularly in Proverbs, but it must be balanced with the passages that speak of blessing and healing with words. There is a big difference between speaking comfort and encouragement and spouting off what you think you know. We are back to Matthew 12:36-37 and the whole matter of careless, unpro­ductive speech. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes of watching television or the Internet to see examples of people parading their folly through their words. There are some who make a living at it! However, that’s no way for a child of God to be. We are to share our knowledge of God as He gives opportunity, but never in a prideful way. We are to rest assured of His love and our value in His eyes, not feeling we have to “prove” ourselves by how much we know. That is foolishness indeed.

I’m really talking about myself here. I have a long track record of telling people more than they want to know! Feeling inadequate in other areas, I have tried to use my store of (often useless) knowledge as a cloak to hide my deficiencies. Often enough, I have only paraded my own foolishness! I like too much to be “the one in the know,” and have hurt people and damaged relationships by speaking things that should have been kept private. I need to focus more on letting God guard and guide my lips, not only speaking what He wants me to say, but also not speaking anything He doesn’t want me to say. I have a lot of room for growth there. Given my track record, I am tempted to despair at this point, but I know that nothing is impossible for Him, and my weaknesses and failures are no match for His power.

Father, thank You for Your grace and patience toward me. Thank You for the privilege of speaking Your words to others. Help me speak less of my own! Help me express grace and patience toward others who parade their insecurities and their foolishness through their words. That can be difficult at times! May I indeed extend to others the grace that You have poured out on me, so that they my be drawn to You for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!