Your Conversation

What Is Your Conversation About?
… and just why are you speaking?

In my devotion time today Proverbs 17:27 penetrated my thoughts deeply. It states, “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit” (NKJV). I rummaged through my closet of memories to review my own ‘style’ or manner of speaking. In a short time I concluded two basic things myself.
The first was how misunderstood a person can be if they take up what I consider the worlds’ norms – speak freely without constraint and making sure your ‘voice’ on a matter is expressed. The idea many times, as I have experienced it, is if you don’t say much when in a group or gathering of people, you are perceived as ‘less intelligent’ a shy babe if you will not yet matured enough to engage in conversations imparting your wisdom and experience.
I can think of countless times in group conversations with everyone having their say or giving their ‘take’ on the matter. Speaking with many words they share their opinions as concrete truths seen through a conglomeration of tunnels of self experiences. Listening quietly so many times, I hear with an ear of understanding that comes only from transparent courageous living.
Life has taught me well not to speak to swiftly or with an ignorant confidence on what ‘I think’ about someone else’s behavior, life circumstances of choice of decisions. It is now as if I instinctively shrink my own conclusions because of the many times I thought I would never be found doing this or having done that. Life has verified the Word is absolutely true and unchanging. Once you have lived enough life with wisdom and honest self discovery, the less you are to make a judgment on many things.
I have heard it said, “the older you get, the less you know.” I would add the older you get, the less quick you are to boldly assert your position or opinion as an accurate truth. I have many thoughts and opinions on matters and have learned to use wisdom and understanding in how and when I express them. In a nutshell what is it the Word caused me to reflect upon? Don’t be so quick to share what you (think) you know.
Don’t always be the one who ‘has the answer’ or the one whose voice is always heard. This brings me to the second reflection I came to this morning and that is the second half of Proverbs 17:27, “and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Being the quiet one should not be concluded as being unlearned or uninformed. Neither should being on the slow side to speak in a group be seen as one who is devoid of understanding.
So many times I have been mistaken for being passive and simple because I am ‘shy’ or quiet in groups. Then later when I have had opportunity to speak with them one on one or they do finally hear me speak in a group, they always share how surprised and mistaken they were in their perception of me. I have done the same thing. There is one woman I know who is much like me in a group, she rarely speaks and spends most of her time listening. Then I had the privilege of hearing her ‘preach’ one Sunday morning. I was floored by her ability and gifting to share the Word. The presence of God filled the sanctuary and many eyes, minds and hearts received great revelation, healing and deliverance.
When she was through, she became that quiet serene and calm woman again but once again the Lord proved ‘never judge a book by its cover’ for until you read it for yourself, you have no clue the jewels of healing and transformation it possesses for your life.