Hold Your Peace

At Bible study last night we read Proverbs 17:28 which says, "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."  As we discussed the meaning and personal application, it dawned on me yet again the common tendency to make Christianity more about behaviour than the condition of our hearts.  A superficial application of this passage would be, "I want to be wise, or at least appear wise to others.  Speaking less is the key to other perceiving me as wise!"

The meaning of the phrase "holds his peace" basically means to remain silent.  But there is a deeper meaning revealed in scripture.  Ephesians 2:13-14 says, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation..."  Understanding that Jesus IS our peace puts a completely different spin on this verse.  Because Jesus is our peace, "holding our peace" is more than the discipline of keeping our mouths closed.  Having been born again through faith in Him, the Holy Spirit has provided self-control we rejoice to walk in.  Holding Jesus as our dearest treasure, clinging to His promises, even in silence Christians can take a conscious step of faith.

What do you treasure most in life?  What do you hold dear?  Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and when we hold Him close we can hear clearly the small, still voice of the Spirit.  Whether we speak or are silent, we can faithfully do so for God's glory.  Forever we are to hold our Peace, the One who upholds us and with a word calms the storms we face.  Our tongues ought to confess Jesus as LORD, and even our silence can proclaim the same!  No matter what occurs, let us hold our Peace!