Friday, February 3, 2012

To Speak or Not to Speak?


Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips
Psalms 141:3

      Do you ever have difficulty knowing when to speak and when to keep quiet? I do. I haven't always had that difficulty. There was a time when I chose not to speak no matter what. It was just too risky, and I was afraid to take risks.

       When I open my mouth now, people don't know all the work God did in my life to pry my lips open. They don't know the fears He freed me from, and how He taught me to trust Him when He asks me to take risks. My words may sound to them like just words, but to me they have become a testimony of God's goodness and a demonstration of His power over the strongholds in my life - like fear.

      The older I get, the more I want to jump in with my "words of wisdom," especially when I see someone heading down a dangerous path that I've traveled down before. Isn't it my duty to save them from pain and suffering if I can? Well, perhaps sometimes it is, but more times it's not. Often the only words God wants to hear out of my mouth are prayers, as I lift the situation or person up to Him. That's the hard part of freedom - knowing the difference.

      It was easier when I was afraid to talk, because the choice was already made. But there was no growing or stretching involved in that, no discernment learned. Now I am responsible for my words...all of them. As a mater-of-fact God is keeping a journal and He will hold me accountable for every silly one I speak. Since God is keeping an account, I need to make sure my words count for something more than filling the air or a notebook. I need to keep a guard on my lips, not out of fear but out of obedience.

      The kind of words I'm sure God never tires of hearing are those of love that exhort and encourage others, and bring praise and glory to Him - spoken from the heart.

 
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
   Philippians 4:8
 
      When we meditate on these things it's amazing how they travel from our mind to our mouth and help us speak those words which are pleasing to God.
 
Buttoning my lip...for now.
Charlotte
 

6 comments:

  1. It is easier to keep quiet because the speaking out can be misinterpreted and you are also open for criticism. Tell me about it! You are wise to know when to do either. Sometimes your voice needs to be heard even if it is not "safe" to do so. Do not fear when it is God urging you to take your stand. Found you on Brag on God Friday.

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  2. I too have learned that words are a responsibility and a risk! I'm always asking the Holy Spirit to guide me in them.

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  3. Wow that's a great post, and reflects a lot of my journey too. For a long time I was silent rather than risking being thought a fool. Now I am talking, and living on the edge :) Thanks for the reminder of what God doesn't tire of hearing!

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  4. I certainly feel like I need to button up my lips more! These verses let me know where to meditate too...to be more Christ-like. Great post, Charlotte.

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  5. really right on message. Something I need to remember....when to speak...when to stay quiet. thanks Charlotte.

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  6. This reminds me of me. (Suppose the name has something to do with it?) I've been reading a lot lately about the differences between extroverts and introverts. I'm definitely the latter and it was hard for me to speak up when I was younger. The older I've become the bolder I've also become and find it easier to speak up now. We definitely do need to know when to speak up and when to be quiet. It isn't always easy to know.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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