WISDOM OF QUIETNESS (2)

“He who GUARDS his MOUTH preserves his LIFE, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction” – Proverbs 13:3

The WISDOM of QUIETNESS can spell the difference between Preservation and Destruction: “He who GUARDS his MOUTH preserves his LIFE, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (Pro.13:3). As we’ve seen in recent meditations, the book of Proverbs shares abundant thoughts of the topics of Speech and Silence or Talkativeness versus Quietness. The classic scripture, Proverbs 10:19, says “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is WISE.” Irrespective of the quality of the words or the peculiarity of the situation: TOO MANY WORDS are an INVITATION to SIN! It's interesting that the term “multitude” in the Hebrew can be translated as greatness, and this may reflect a proud mouth, a mouth that spews boasting, and finds it hard to be quiet!

Rarely do we see a person that speaks many words, and doesn’t, in those words, speak swelling words of pride! Our key verse speaks of two results. Talkativeness is verbal diarrhea, and an invitation to destruction. Quietness is a virtue and an Instrument of Life Preservation. A man with restraint maintains his life. A man without restraint shall have destruction. The verse does not say he shall receive destruction, but shall HAVE it. That is, the unguarded mouth, untamed tongue, and glib lip makes one a vehicle of destruction – of self, family, friends, possessions, and possibilities. However, quietness is not only about the use of the tongue, it describes an attitude of calm, peace and poise.

Several other scriptures dwell on the Wisdom of Quietness. Here are a few:

Quietness of Soul: “Surely I have composed and QUITED my SOUL; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me” (Psa.131:2). We can be calm and quiet within, unagitated, free from conceit and pride, resting safe and secure in the Lord.

Quietness in Composure, Character and Spirit: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and QUIET SPIRIT, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1Pet.3:3-4). Believers shouldn’t portray a loud character or brash behaviour, but be moderate in all things.

Quietness in the Home: “Better is a dry morsel with QUIETNESS than a house full of feasting with strife” (Pro.17:1).

Quietness at Work – in Business, Career or Vocation: “That you also aspire to LEAD a QUIET LIFE, to MIND YOUR own BUSINESS, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you... For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our the Lord Jesus Christ that they WORK in QUIETNESS and eat their own bread” (1The.4:11; 2The.3:11-12).

Quietness in the Society and Polity: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a QUIET and peaceable LIFE in all godliness and reverence” (1Tim.2:1-2). The Will of God is for Order, Quietness and Tranquility to reign, and for the generality of humanity to lead godly, dignified lives.

God would have us live in Quietness, not in Stressfulness: By His Wisdom, we can enjoy stillness within, quiet times, seasons of serenity, and restful habitations amidst life’s hectic schedules and intense events. He says: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST...you will find REST for your SOULS” (Mt.11:28-29). Again, He says: “BE STILL, and know that I am God” (Psa.46:10a).