A Word From The Wise

A Word from the Wise

Bible Blast: Read Proverbs 31:25-26

A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Proverbs 12:16

Think of somebody you consider really wise. Now think of a character in a movie or book who is wise. What about that character tells you he or she has wisdom?

Wise people are amazing at giving advice. It’s as if they have a flashlight they shine into a situation that makes everything clear. Wisdom is different from knowledge because it’s an ability to use knowledge, experience, and the Holy Spirit to figure things out. Knowledge is simply knowing stuff, which is also good but not as good as wisdom.

According to the Bible, wise people are also good at silence. Those who I think are wise aren’t usually the ones who are talking 24/7 and have an answer for everything. They stop and take time to think and pray and watch their words.

It’s easy to get angry when someone hurts your feelings, isn’t it? You want to defend yourself right away or say something back to make her feel bad too. But if you do that, you’re just grabbing onto that person’s sin and passing it on.

Proverbs 10:19 says that where there’s a lot of talking, there’s a lot of sin. Have you ever seen that happen? Chances are if a group of people is talking, talking, talking, something sinful is going to come out of their mouths at some point.

If someone insults you and you immediately lash out with angry words back at her, you’ll just make the other person happy. She wanted to upset you. That’s why she said it in the first place. Instead, try to respond with silence. Think about the wise thing to say right in that moment.

A verse I like to remember when I’m in a difficult situation is “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent” (Proverbs 17:28). When I’m tempted to speak harsh words out of anger or frustration, I try to remember this verse and keep my words to myself.

Be like God as it describes him in Psalm 145:8: “The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”

Girl Gab: Plan an evening for your family to have one hour of silence—when you can’t talk at all (that includes texting!). See who has the hardest time with it, and talk about how it made you feel afterward. Next time, try two hours! Maybe you’ll even decide to do it for a whole day! Ask God for wisdom in your words today.