Blog About No Blog, Part 2

Solomon, the wisest man, had several things to say about saying nothing. It was he who wrote that there is “a time to keep silence” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). One such time is when you are trying to speak to a proud, know-it-all, contentious fool.

Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Since the fool thinks he knows everything and is too proud to ever admit he is wrong, you are wasting your time trying to reason with him. He is not going to like anything wise that you have to say since if you say something wise it is going to expose his folly. This is an important principle to remember when you are trying to witness to somebody about the truth of the gospel. Do not think you always have to have the last word in the argument. Your last best word may be no word at all. In the presence of the fool, it is best to keep quiet and say nothing at all. Let him bask in his self-conceit and let God deal with him.

Another time to keep silence is when strife is beginning.

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

My Aunt Nell had a wise saying: “The less said, the less needs mending.” Unfortunately, Aunt Nell did not always apply this sage advice. She was quite the one to offend others by being too quick to give them a piece of her mind. Too often we think we have to let others know every time they say or do something we disagree with or that we find offensive. It is often better just to let it go and say nothing. A lot of strife would be avoided if we just kept quiet. Always ask yourself when someone crosses you, “Is it worth making an issue over?”

Another appropriate time to keep silence is when we are being sorely tried and are awaiting deliverance.

Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

How many have had to regret mouthing off in bitterness when they were suffering! Job was one such. He thought that God was not dealing fairly with him to permit him to suffer so much. In fact, the author of the book of Job, Elihu, became angry at Job for this.

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

When God Almighty answered Job out of the whirlwind by presenting to Job His great power and wisdom, Job realized that he had spoken out of turn. Who was Job to question the judgment of so great and wise a God? Then Job changed his attitude as can be seen in his humble reply to God.

Job 40:3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Job repented for what he had said and confessed that he had spoken without understanding what he was saying.

Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Just as Jeremiah recommended in Lamentations, Job decided to keep silence and put his mouth in the dust. You see, when things are happening that we do not understand, rather than calling God’s righteousness into question, we should rather keep silence. It is better to say nothing at all than to speak without understanding only then to have to later regret what we said. In such circumstances it is best to “quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.