Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

It’s so hard sometimes for us to keep our thoughts to ourselves.  Sometimes the biggest problem with some of the things that pop into our minds is that there is a door for them to get out, and that is through our mouths.  Sometimes we can look smarter just by keeping our mouths shut.  When we don’t say anything, we can’t say something unhelpful or foolish or, worse yet, something hurtful.  When what we might say has no value, does not help or edify or encourage, it is surely better to not say anything at all.

There are many situations where we feel the need to comment when we have no business doing so.  Often we share our opinion when it is not wanted or when we don’t know all the details of a situation.  And sometimes the things we share with people can hinder them in significant ways.  If we plant a wrong idea in their minds, it may cause them to stumble in their walk with God or lead them astray.  If we lie, we lose their trust and hurt our own testimony.  If we gossip and are constantly criticizing others, we can hurt and discourage others.

So is the solution to just sew our mouths shut and never say anything?  Of course not.  But while that may sometimes seem like the only way to prevent ourselves from saying something we’ll regret, we still have control over what we say.  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit within us, and as we surrender more to Him and His leading, He will guide us in being wise in what we say and don’t say.  He can enable us to keep from saying something we shouldn’t if we are willing to surrender to Him.

Let’s trust God to show us when it is best to not say anything at all.  Let’s be careful about blurting out the first thing that comes into our minds and carefully consider what we say to people and how we say it.  Even a foolish person appears wise when he refrains from speaking his mind on every matter, and sometimes it is best for us to simply leave our thoughts unspoken.  So let us have a discerning spirit, choose our words wisely, and not make ourselves appear foolish by saying something we shouldn’t.