“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” Proverbs 11:12
Putting others down is motivated by one’s own destitution. When we feel as if we are not “enough,” we, as humans, tend to put down others, especially if they seem to be doing better than we are ourselves. When our “neighbor” is doing well in something that we consider ourselves to be good at, or that we aspire to do well, this also seems to be a time this belittling raises its ugly head. It takes wisdom to hold our tongue, even when someone is inviting a word directed at their ignorance or foolishness. This “understanding,” that Solomon is referring to, is that our “neighbor’s” due consequences or reward will come with or without our tongue getting in the way. Most of the time an honest experience of an over anxious tongue brings more hurt to itself than any other outcome.
Lord God, thank You for the wisdom to hold my tongue and keep my peace while I listened to the true feelings on my wife’s heart. Her grievances are a consequence of my sin. You have forgiven me. I know it will take her longer to do so. Grant me the strength and the patience to walk with her through this process, and become the man she needs me to be. May we all see Your face today at church. Let all the externals fall away and show us who You are and that You, our Great God, have all of this in Your hand. Meet each one of us at our place of need and show us Your Glory that will pale all else in the beauty of Your Majesty!