In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty-seven of Proverbs Solomon said, “even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise” where we read,
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise:
and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
The verse begins, “Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise:” Solomon began with the words, “even a fool” or “indeed and moreover a person who despises wisdom and is silly and perverse” “when he holds his peace” which means “at the time and moment the foolish person remains silent, quiet and dumb”, “is counted wise” or “exists as esteemed, imputed, reckoned and regarded as skillful, shrewd and prudent”. Solomon shared how the person who is silly and despises wisdom is regarded as skillful and prudent at the time they remain quiet and silent.
The verse goes on to say, “and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Solomon continued with the words, “and he that shuts his lips” or “and the person whether male or female who closes their physical lips used for speaking” “is esteemed a man of understanding” which means “is reckoned, regarded and imputed as a person whether male or female who possesses discernment, perception, intelligence and knowledge”. Solomon said the person who closes their “lips” to speak is regarded as one who has discernment and intelligence.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how a person who despises wisdom and is silly is considered skillful and prudent when they keep quiet, and a person who keeps silent is considered to have knowledge and intelligence. In other words, as has been said, “it is better for people to think you're a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”. God wants us to be wise with our words, and when we have nothing to say, we should not say it. God loves us, and He proved His love toward us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to remain quiet so we will not be considered a “fool” and thought to be a person of intelligence.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon share how a man, “seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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