October 6, 2022 - Proverbs 17:27-28

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” Proverbs 17:27-28 NLT

Lord, when we read these verses, it totally makes sense. We want to be the wise person who knows how to measure our words. We want to be an even-tempered person. But living these verses out is a totally different story. It can sometimes be so hard to keep our mouths shut, especially when we are frustrated or mad. Grow each of us in this area. Teach us how to hold our tongue. Help us to always take a moment to process before we open our mouth to speak. Help us learn to respond and not react. Teach us not to talk just to talk and fill space. So often when that happens, we can find ourselves complaining, gossiping, or sharing things that would better be left unsaid. It is definitely better not to say anything than to do those things.

We really don’t want to be fools, Lord. Forgive us for the many times that we have spoken things that we should not have spoken. Forgive us for complaining, gossiping, airing our frustrations, blowing up at people. Holy Spirit, prompt us when we need reminding of this. Open our eyes to it before these things come out of us. Please come and be our filter that we run things through before we say them. When we start saying things that we should not, help us recognize it immediately and stop ourselves. When we need to ask forgiveness from those we are talking to, give us the strength and courage to do so. We want to stand up for righteousness even if we think it will make us look like a fool to the world around us. We would rather look like a fool in the eyes of the world than a fool in your eyes. Grow us into people who walk in your wisdom and understanding. We want to always be a shining example of your kingdom’s ways.

In Jesus name, amen.