The War on Wisdom Sample

Have you ever walked away from a conversation wishing you could backpedal? Or that you should have listened properly before butting in? On the flipside, have you ever walked away feeling deflated due to the words spoken by someone? Sometimes we know full well that the intentions are not ill, but continuous chattering more often than not causes hurt and chaos.

Proverbs is riddled with verses on the power of words and the tongue. The importance of holding one’s tongue and realizing the power of words. Often it can be an “a-ha” moment when we start to see that the more that we speak, the more potential there is for sin. Speaking less creates space for true listening and engaging. It’s wise to take a step back and let others do the talking in order to process and speak life rather than death.

Stopping, listening and not speaking takes humility. It takes resolve to resist the urge to “have your say”. We need to create space to weigh our words. These words, after all, have the power to give life or cause harm. Words can break others and ourselves down, and often it’s words that cause the scars that we carry for years.