The Wisdom of Silence
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The wise old owl perched on an Oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard
Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Words are such a powerful tool.
Heal - Destroy
Encourage - Discourage
Scold - Comfort
This section of wisdom is about how we controlling our words.
Not the words we choose to use.
But how we choose when to use them.
Your use of words effect your conflicts with others.
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Restraining your words:
hold back, preserve
Infers an inner struggle (as in a conflict)
Conflicts aren’t always arguments.
Some struggles to our restraint.
Defend your position, your honor
Pride, Resentment, bitterness (unresolved)
Poor Character (insecure)
When you’re a hammer everything is a nail.
Ignorance!!!!
Shortly after I was ordained as an elder
Major conflict in a church
Details are not important.
I was not able to help lead them to peace
I didn’t have the tools to do so
I was ignorant of how to lead them to peace
MAJOR factor in leading me to seek out training on biblical peace making.
...You HAVE knowledge
Something you bring into the conflict:
Possess knowledge about handling conflict
Something you gain during the conflict:
have knowledge ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
You gained it because of your silence.
Having a cool spirit:
This (hopefully) is the basis of your restraint.
Pat and Lubie - 60th wedding anniversary
Adored couple in our church.
Celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in the Fellowship Hall.
Some asked what is the secret to a long marriage;
(Quickly) Don’t sweat the small stuff
Most of it is small stuff.
Is this apathy?
Our Character would take a major overhaul if we would learn one thing....
It’s not about me.
(Max Lucado) - Life changing for me.
When it is about me I’m tempted to:
Defend me honor
Defend my position.
Defend my pride.
If it’s not about me, who is it about?
Are we just supposed to become the worlds punching bags.
Am I not worthy of defense.
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Replace a love for self (pride) with a love for God.
It’s not about me - is taking ourself out of the seat of honor.
We Don’t leave the seat empty.
We are giving up the seat to the one who deserves it..... God.
When you let your love for God reign.
Your problems naturally take their proper place.
Your priorities shift in a conflict.
what do I mean by that?
Example of this in action...
7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
“Why not rather be wrong?”
Acknowledges that you are right
WHAT ABOUT JUSTICE
God is a God of Justice.
There is a bigger issue at stake
Dishonoring God for the sake of your cause.
Most of us could say this example seems a bit out of touch. after all,
“I’ve never taken someone to court and don’t want to.”
We try to win our justice in the Court of public opinion.
When don’t have a cool spirit, this prevents you from being able to restrain your words.
You will inevitably want to support
If the bible doesn’t support your position or your behavior
You will find those who will.
And the problem grows and grows...
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
A heart that lives to love and honor God.
Perfectly suited to have a COOL SPIRIT
Cool Sprit is perfectly equipped
in learning how to restrain our words.
APPLICATION!!!
Do you have a cool spirit?
Are you good at practicing restraint in conflict?
Maybe it’s a heart condition.
Maybe this morning you need to move out of God’s seat.