DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 9 August 2022 — Sensible Silence
DCLM Higher Everyday 9 August 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Sensible Silence
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TOPIC: SENSIBLE SILENCE
TEXT: AMOS 5:13-15
13Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
14Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
15Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
MEMORY VERSE: “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (PROVERBS 13:3).
MESSAGE:
“Speech is silver; silence is golden” – is an Egyptian proverb translated from German into English Language by Thomas Carlyle (1831) in his work: Sartor Resartus (Latin), meaning “The Tailor Re-tailored.”
This adage seems universally acceptable – “Saying nothing is preferable to saying anything.” Remember, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).
Misunderstanding of concepts and insufficiency of facts on specific issues of life would result in wrong verbal expressions, often with dire consequences. Hence, in such circumstances, silence is most appropriate.
Today’s text provides candid counsel for the wise youth. There is a time to keep silent, and a time to speak. A Professor of the University of Benin, Nigeria, told his students that, “When you open a bracket without closing it, it is like opening your mouth without closing it; anything can fly in.”
Be sure of what you want to say. Say it and shut-up. If you are before gossipers, keep silent. When preaching, no exaggeration; be guided by the Holy Spirit.
QUOTE: If you are preaching, no exaggeration.
CHALLENGE: In your zeal, have spiritual discernment to speak correctly.
PRAYER: Lord, give me the grace to speak and preach wisely.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
