People tend to think I'm a pretty quiet person, and I get it. Don't get me wrong, I love to talk, but I often live in a world of thoughts rather than busting out to share my opinions and words with the world. Yet even with introverted tendencies, there are many times when I feel like duct tape over my mouth is needed. Too often the words that I do speak are ones that I wish I could take back, words of complaint rather than praise, words of anger rather than love, or words of negativity rather than encouragement. Now and then I think of a lesson that my friend's dad shared with us during our childhood. Squeezing a small tube of toothpaste out on a paper plate, he pointed that it could not be retracted into the bottle. In this same manner, words once spoken cannot be taken back. Forgiven, yes, but they will have left their mark nonetheless.
The wisdom of Solomon teaches similarly in Proverbs. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10: 19). Thoughts so easily become words spilled among our families, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers. Words carelessly and selfishly spoken can be an arrow of pain to those we love the most. Even worse, in this we fail to emanate to those around us the love which we have received through Christ. Words carelessly spoken should strike our own hearts deeply as well for they don't honor ourselves, others, or the Lord. As I often repeat to my students the words of Thumper from the Disney movie Bambi, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." If many words invite transgression, I can only conclude that the cliche rings true: silence is golden. Thankfully, though, I believe that golden silence can move us to an attitude and position in which our words can build up others and honor God.
Having an appropriate view of God is important I believe in regards to this issue. First of all, it is important to note that those in Christ can approach the throne of grace with confidence because of the work Jesus has done on my behalf (Hebrews 4:16). He is my Mediator and Advocate making it possible for me to approach an infinitely holy God. And yet, I desire to always be awed at the grandness and magnificence of my God and never flippant in my posture toward Him. The Creator of the dust beneath my feet, the very cells in my body, the stars in the sky, and the unknown reaches of the solar system is my God. Let me be quiet and awed before His throne. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him (Habakkuk 2:20). Be still, and know that I am God...(Psalm 46:10). The triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are eternally perfect while I am but a wisp of breath. Having this correct understanding and reverence before Him leads me to golden silence, a quiet which allows me to bask in His royal perfection and love which the Father has given to me through the sacrifice of His Son and the gift of His Spirit.
Somewhat ironically, as I meditate upon how great and majestic our God is, I can't keep silent! I'm like a geyser bubbling up with thankfulness and joy that He would choose to save a sinner such as me, become Lord of my life, and bring a completeness to my life that this world could never satisfy. This praise cannot lead to sinful words of anger, bitterness, or complaining but finally brings me to a place where my communication first honors God and radiates His love to others. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord...(Psalm 146:21). We become free and able to encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
May my mouth be closed when words are many and lead to destruction. May my heart and mind be turned in golden silence to my Lord. And may the renewed and vibrant words that spill forth in praise speak well of His greatness and place His glory on display for all to see!
