Aug. 7 Devotion: Slow to Speak

Slow to Speak

James 1:19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

We live in a day when everyone feels the need to give an opinion or have the last word. Yet, our text reminds us of this in James 1:19. Before words leave our mouths, they should first pass through a heart submitted to the Holy Spirit. Being slow to speak is not weakness; it is evidence of wisdom and self-control. Many conflicts could be avoided if we listened more than we talked. Hasty words often wound, while carefully chosen words have the power to heal, encourage, and glorify God. 

We have a wonderful example to follow in the Bible by looking at Jesus. Jesus never spoke carelessly. His words were also with purpose and truthful. Oftentimes, we don’t seem to measure our words, so to speak. We will fly off the handle easily or automatically want to share our opinion on something. We’ve even reached a point where we think a little white lie thrown in is okay. Or words we just throw around to hear ourselves talk, it seems.

When was the last time we truly held our peace? There may come a time when we do have to speak up, but sometimes we do it too quickly and it’s done out of anger or with too much emotion. Sometimes it’s better to pray and seek what God would have us to say before we are so quick to speak.

I’ll leave you with an anonymous poem I’ve come across.

A wise old owl lived in 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?

God bless,

Bro. Josh Richardson