Silver and Gold are Golden (TT)

 

If you are naturally a non-talker, introvert, you may not have much problem having to tame your tongue, keeping it from all sorts of ways it needs to be tamed.  However, Deborah Smith Pegues instructs her readers in 30 Days to Taming YOUR  Tongue, that a 'silent' tongue is not always the wisest tongue.

She uses Solomon's wisdom which states,

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven ... a time to be silent and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 & & NIV).

So yes, while we are pro-actively learning to rein in our tongues, we also need to learn when to speak: to warn, confront, stick up for justice and so on.

Pegues shares the adage,

"Speech is silver, silence is golden".

I'd never heard the silver part before so it's good to be reminded of this balance.  It couples well with another eye-opener I picked up at a women's conference.

The speaker was talking about submission and what it was and then what it was not.  Among the 'was not's' was slience!  That really surprized me.  Whether in a marital relationship or with a boss at work or a leader at church or some other situation, if someone is going off the rails, one needs to use one's voice in respectful, calm confrontation.

The Bible does relate a process for this and the attitude in which it should be done.  This is a topic for another time though ... (see Matthew 18:15-20).

Suffice it to say, silver and gold are both of great value.  Your speech or your silence, when discreetly used with wisdom and direction from the Holy Spirit will be of great value.  I should think too that when encapsulated in love, compassion and care, your tamed tongue will be a blessing to all and even to yourself.  You won't get yourself into so much trouble. 

Father God, thank You for all the gracious words of wisdom explained by Deborah Smith Pegues about taming ones tongue.  May I have an ongoing process with the bit and bridle of Your Word and Holy Spirit's intervention and conviction in all areas that need the taming.  Not just my tongue though, but the thought processes and my heart do need the taming too.  On the other hand, teach me to speak 'silver' words for Your glory and honor and for the benefit of those who need the 'blessing'.  Make me a blessing to others.  I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                              ~ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Eccelesiastes 3:1-7 NIV.  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 30 - The Silent Tongeu, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, The Jesus Way, along with Phil Wickham.