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Keeping Silent

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 57.

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Keeping Silent

By G. B. T.

It is not easy to master the tongue. “In many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3: 2.
The gift of speech is a blessing beyond computation. What could compensate one for being struck dumb, and never again being able to utter a syllable? This wonderful gift from God should be used to bless and heal, not to wound and bruise.
How cruel sometimes are our words! They darken homes, and wound those we love. In a moment of vexation we utter words which hurt and do violence to the tender, loving sensibilities of some soul.
“I hastily opened my lips And uttered a word of disdain, That wounded a friend and forever estranged A heart I would die to regain.”
And the saddest of all is that the spoken word can never be unsaid. Money lost may be regained. A mansion burned to the ground may be rebuilt. The flowers of spring fade, but there will be more. The sun may be hidden behind a cloud, but it will shine again. But the word spoken in haste or in anger can never be recalled, though it be repented of in scalding tears.
We may think it is only doing what is just in return for wrongs, fancied or otherwise, to make one smart under the whip of words. But a few brief days may see the one whom we have lashed with our tongue silent in death. How sorry we shall then feel, and wish the harsh, wicked words had never been spoken. It has been well said that a minute of holding the tongue is worth an hour of explanations.
It is marvelous how some persons chatter on incessantly through the day. They are seldom awed into silence, and then for only a short time. They spread gossip, peddle slander, tattle, and backbite, without remorse of conscience, and often at the same time profess to be the followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene.
We can learn much from Christ about holding the tongue. He thought and meditated much, but said little. He who knew all things was silent much of the time. What a model for us all!
There is something about the scantiness of the Bible record of Jesus’ words during the first thirty years of his life that, as we reflect upon it, grips and impresses the soul. He might have talked. He could have unfolded the profound mysteries of the heavens, in endless phrases and in words which would have taxed the lexicographers of all ages. He could have talked about scientific problems in a way that would have astonished the scientists and philosophers of all ages. He could have told all about the origin of the stars and systems of worlds, for he lived in the times of their creation. The whole field of knowledge was at his command. He was master of it all. He knew every mystery, and understood all knowledge. How impressive, then, is his silence!
He knew that Judas was a thief. He sat in silence while the treason of one of his disciples was ripening. He did not disclose the failures and weaknesses of the false disciple to the others. When he said that one of them should betray him, they all asked, “Is it I?” He had not aroused their suspicions by throwing out hints about Judas. What a lesson for his followers!
When arraigned before the tribunal of an earthly court, though the greatest judge of all, he was silent in the midst of insult. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isa. 53: 7. “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” I Peter 2: 23.
When being nailed to the cross by those whom he loved, and while yielding up his life to save sinners, he endured all in silence. When taunted by the rabble, as he was suffering on the cross, no bitter words or complaints fell from his lips. Instead, in his dying agony he breathed a prayer for his murderers.
With such an example before us, it is well to remember that God is in heaven and we on earth, and to let our words be few.
“I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt. 12: 36, 37.
G. B. T.