Rev. Don Campbell

THOUGHT FOR TODAY, MAY 4, 2017: MUST WE ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH?

If we speak, we must speak the truth (Col 3:9). However, we are not wise to blurt out every “truth” that comes to our mind. Solomon wrote: “The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly” (Prov 12:23, NIV). Some people seem to believe that one is obligated to blurt out every fact, every judgment, every opinion, even every thought. Solomon calls such people fools. He also said, “There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Eccl 3:7, NKJV).

Suppose we are being shown a picture of a new grandbaby and we blurt out, “That’s the ugliest baby I have ever seen.” We were truthful about our thoughts, but there was no grace in our speech. We would damage our relationship and might get punched in the nose.

Commenting on Proverbs 12:23, one author wrote: “He (the fool) is dogmatic in dispute when wiser men are cautious. He is teaching when he ought to take the learner’s place; his self-confidence proclaiming his emptiness.” “Let you speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col 4:6).