“It is possible to possess an unspoken thought.”—Anonymous

An unspoken thought—what a novel idea! In an age where social media invites us to express ourselves freely, verbal restraint is a rare commodity.

Yet the Bible consistently encourages us to be cautious about what we say and how we say it. Wise people understand that they don’t have to verbalize everything that comes to their mind.

The book of Proverbs contains a wealth of teaching concerning the proper use of the tongue. Here is just a small sampling:

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” (17:28)

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (18:2)

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (18:21)

Perhaps many of us would benefit from talking less and listening more.