when and wherefore
Submitted by F.O.D. on August 29 1999 at 14:28:31
In reply to A time to be silent, a time to speak - when? Submitted by opinions wanted - d on August 28 1999 at 18:52:15
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I thought you had got your speaks up and shuts up mixed up, but then I read your questions again and saw it was me who got mixed up :) That bit in Eccl 3 is one of my favourite :) I'm not immediately sure how best to judge between "speaking up" and "shutting up", so I'll just throw a few more verses at you as a substitute for thinking ;) [in no particular order other than that in which I remembered them] 2 Tim 4:2 "Preach the Work; be prepared in season and out of season; coorect, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction" 2 Tim 2:23 "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." James 1:19-20 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." Colossians 4:5-6 "Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." 1 Peter 3:15-16 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Tim 5:1 "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers." I'm thinking learning the timing of it is just something that comes with practice and experience and maturity. Thanks for the question. It's one worth thinking more over. Fod |