By David Phillips
Hush now, you’ve said enough.
Your mama ever say that to you? Yes, me too. And sometimes, I’m tempted to give that bit of unsolicited advice to some I come in contact with. Recently, I was in Walmart (It’s much more accurate to say, Frequently, I was in Walmart, but we’ll talk about that later) and I heard a lady (shopper) berating a man (shopper) for daring to be out in public without a mask on. He disagreed with her position, and from the words exchanged, it was clear that he was a stranger to her, but something had set her off. Her tirade continued for a couple of minutes, and I was waiting on her to start on me next, as I was without a mask and to make matters worse, I was coming down the aisle in the wrong direction. She finally finished scuffing him up and moved on, and I thought we’d seen the last of the incident. But 5 minutes later, I ran across him, and he was working himself into a frenzy by commenting on the lady’s verbal assault to his two companions, ranting and raving with quite a bit of profanity. “She’s got no right to talk to anybody that way…” “She’s just _____________”, and on and on he went, very loudly. The lady who had hurt his feelings was long gone, and I wanted to tell him, “Hush now, you’ve said enough.”
Sometimes it is hard to know when to hush, especially when we have been challenged, chided or chastised. It can certainly be difficult to hold back the caustic replies in response to an insult. But it clearly takes greater strength and control to keep from insulting back, than it does to join in the fray.
Proverbs 21:23 says Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 13:3 advises He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Social media (you knew I would get to it, didn’t you) has had the amazing effect of actually emboldening some folks to post and write things toward others that they would not dare say in person, face to face. Let’s be sure not to fall into that trap, dragging Christianity through the gutter in the process.
James warns in 1:26, If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
I’m sure you’ll agree, these scriptures are abundantly clear on the subject, but in case you need a little extra reminder, consider what Peter said after telling us Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). In verse 23, he reminds us that When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. Follow in His steps.
Hush now, you’ve said enough.