Wednesday, February 8

The spiritual discipline of keeping my mouth shut



I've been quiet around here lately.

Actually, I've been quiet most everywhere lately. On Saturday, I posted my first Instagram photo in a month, with this caption: "A month away from social media has been good for my soul. (Was that a sabbatical or just hiding from current events?)"


I'd like to say that it was a sabbatical, but that makes me sound much more intentional and wise than I really am.

To be honest, it was just my way of practicing the spiritual discipline I need the most: the discipline of keeping my mouth shut.

Of course, there's the discipline of silence, one of the classical spiritual disciplines defined as "closing off our souls from 'sounds,' whether noise, music, or words, so that we may better still the inner chatter and clatter of our noisy hearts and be increasingly attentive to God" (Renovaré Life with God Bible, p. 530). 

One of the great benefits of practicing silence is that we are better able to hear the voice of God. My friend Richard Foster explains: "The quality of God's voice is one of drawing and encouraging. The spirit in God's voice is all grace and mercy. And the content of what is being said is always consistent with what God has said before--we have a huge biblical witness  upon which to test our leadings" (Sanctuary of the Soul, p. 11).

I wish I could tell you that this is what I've been up to for the past month, but that would be a lie. Instead, I've been practicing a discipline that is often the very hardest thing for me to do: biting my tongue.

Over and over God convicts me with the verse upon which the name of this blog is based: 

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).

That's from my lifelong favorite King James Version, but I need to hear it in other words, too. Like the NIV: 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Or even more pointed, from The Message:

"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift."

And the truth is that, as I've watched events unfold over the past month, I really didn't have anything to say that would be helpful.

That's humbling. I've wrestled with it, thinking that perhaps I had a responsibility to say something. Maybe I should have spoken words of grace. Maybe I should have added my voice just to remind people of God's love and goodness.

Maybe.

But the harder--and I think, the more needful--thing was to keep my mouth shut.

Sometimes people get confused about spiritual disciplines, thinking that they are lovely practices that uplift and encourage. And that's partially true. But that's not the whole picture.

Spiritual disciplines are not pampering for the soul. They're more like medicine for the soul: I take what I need. I don't practice what is most enjoyable; I practice what is most necessary for shaping my character into Christlikeness. 

What does a Christlike character look like? It's one that overflows with the fruit of the Spirit--the same Spirit that empowered Jesus to live as He did now lives in me. So a Christlike character will show forth love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness (see Galatians 5:22). 

I don't keep my mouth shut because I am holy. I keep my mouth shut because I want to become holy.

I want to be the kind of person who will speak only when she has something life-giving to say.

I have a long way to go. But I am confident that God's grace abounds. He can take my little acts of faith and do what I cannot do: He can change me from the inside out. With God nothing is impossible, not even the taming of my tongue.

What about you? What disciplines do you need to practice in order to grow in grace?


10 comments:

  1. Perfect post. I so agree with you, I have kept my mouth shut too. It seems like a lot of America should practice this about now.

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  2. I think its a great idea to take a break, I did for two weeks and it felt great! I am still trying to find balance and make sure I don't neglect my love ones, especially my dog who he has grown distant from me, as soon as he sees the computer he runs. Pets are really smart. Maria

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  3. Richella, your words here hit home with me. I've needed a bit of a break from blogging. It was making me stressed out and I realized that I needed to get back with God. Last week a Bible study for women began at the park where we live and I knew that was where God wanted me to be. Beginning to feel much better! Will keep you in my prayers for strength and encouragement. <3
    Your friend in Christ Jesus,
    Barb :)

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  4. Very wise words Richella. I know that keeping quiet many times helps us to gather our thoughts and reflect on what we are feeling.

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  5. So good, Richella!! I think most everyone could benefit from the discipline of keeping our mouths shut. Love this!

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  6. If only all of us could be so wise to keep our mouths shut! As always, this post was so well written. Thanks for challenging us.

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  7. Richella, this is a perfect post and perfect timing. I removed myself from Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed it and it was a great way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, but it had began to take up too much of my time AND to be honest, a lot of the posts and comments that I began to see on there were emotionally overwhelming and at times even grieving me spiritually. Finally I had to admit to myself and submit to the nudging of the Holy Spirit that it was time to take an indefinite break. I actually now feel more free and lighter! I certainly miss social media, but I know that for this time I had to remove myself. In my case, I am so thankful that I was obedient...my goal is to walk in spiritual discipline. Great post...so on point!

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  8. God tells me to put on a muzzle every now and again....What a great discipline and reminder of how important our words are! I love how to you all the versions on there! It really nailed the point down for me today! great read!

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  9. Such a wonderful post. That chocolate cake looks like it would also be good for my soul.

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