by Bob Gass
He opened not His mouth.
Sometimes it's wise to wait, to say, "I don't have the answer right now but I'll think about it, pray, and get back to you." Your need to rescue someone, or impress them and make points, will come back to bite you. The Bible says, "A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly" (Proverbs 12:23 NIV). Allow wisdom to determine your response, not ego!
When people are anxious for answers they'll pressure you into speaking before you have all the facts or have taken time to pray and consider the situation. If you ask Him, God will tell you what to say and when to say it. His promise is: "I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand" (Isaiah 51:16 NIV). Ego says, "Don't just stand there, say something." Wisdom says, "Don't just say something, stand there!" Quietly ask God for insight. One insight from Him can settle things in a hurry. Someone else's need to know shouldn't determine your need to speak.
When Jesus stood before Pilate in judgment He said, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53 NIV). Yet the Bible says, "He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7 NKJV). When He was brought before Pilate, Jesus just stood there and said nothing. That's because He was not on trial, Pilate was. Jesus knew His destiny and, most importantly, He knew His Father intimately. And when you know God you can face anything with confidence - and be free to be quiet. What a wonderful place to be!
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