My sister-in-law and I were talking recently about some situations she faced as a teacher. She worked with many non-Christians and had to often make choices involving her Christianity. She was often pulled into discussions about certain political issues that she felt were things not worthy of extensive discussions. She said she remembered something her father told her over and over again as she was growing up. He told her that it is often better to just listen and say nothing. His reasoning was that no matter what the topic, it is often better if people don’t know what you think. Opinions are just that—opinions.
My father-in-law was a wonderful man, a preacher of the gospel, and a college professor. I have seen him do this in his own life. Disagreements would arise, and he would listen but say nothing. He would defend the truth, but he did not venture into the world of opinions or meaningless discussions.
This idea is so Biblical. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote much about the tongue. His words are appropriate for our study. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20 ESV). It would seem that James associated being quick to speak with bringing about anger, and anger produces in man an attitude of unrighteousness.
There is a proverb, not specific to Scripture, that says “Speech is silver. Silence is golden”. We have adopted the latter phrase but rarely hear the first. Thomas Carlyle used this idea in his writings, as have others over the years. Logically, these men learned this lesson and wanted to pass it along for consideration to their readers. The same thought can be found in the Scriptures, in both the Old and New Testaments. Solomon in his wisdom wrote, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth” (Proverbs 10:19-20). Where there is much talking, Solomon says there is sin.
When Elijah ran from the wicked Jezebel, he found himself in a cave all alone. Elijah thought he was all alone; but he was here, in this place for a specific lesson. As Elijah stood on the mountain, the Lord passed by him. The prophet experienced a strong wind that tore rocks from the mountain, an earthquake, and a fire. He did not find God in any of these. Where he found God was in a still, small voice. God asked what he was doing there. Elijah had destroyed the altar of Baal, reduced Jezebel to a humiliating position before the people, and run away from everything because of fear. God wanted Elijah to see that he had run away needlessly. He ran away because of the threats of an evil woman. He believed, because of Jezebel’s threats that he was alone. He proclaimed to God, “I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away (First Kings 19:14). He spoke about something he thought he knew, but he was mistaken. There were 7,000 who were still faithful to God. Elijah thought he was all alone; but when he took time to listen, he realized he was not alone.
The psalmist said, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). Sometimes we need to just be quiet and listen. We need to really hear what those around us are saying.
Maybe it is time we do as the psalmist, the wise King Solomon, and the brother of our Lord told us to do. Listen! Don’t be so quick to speak. Listen and learn. We may find that in the still small voice of our Lord, we will find the answers we need.
Sandra Oliver