How often do you provide unsolicited advice?
I had a good friend that told me last night that “typically unsolicited advice will probably be viewed as criticism or disapproval.” I think I would agree with that.
I’m horrible at always giving unsolicited advice. I stand up and speak up far too often.
Sometimes, I do it as sly and so-called slick questions. For example I might say to someone struggling to work hard and earn enough money to live on; “So, how would rate yourself as a hard-worker and applying yourself to earn enough money to live on?”
That’s kind of a slap in the face - right?
Honestly, I try not to speak up unless I first love the person, care about their future and wellbeing and truly speak in love with hopes to help. However, all those good intentions may not land in a positive way.
King Solomon said: “If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.” (Proverbs 9:7 MSG) - Geez! You better get ready.
He went on to say: “So don’t waste your time on a scoffer; all you’ll get for your pains is abuse.” (Proverbs 9:8 MSG) I wonder if Solomon learned this the hard way.
He also said in the same breath; “But if you correct those who care about life, that’s different—they’ll love you for it! Save your breath for the wise—they’ll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know—they’ll profit from it.“ (Proverbs 9:9-12 MSG)
My struggle is to know when to speak up and when to shut up.
I honestly pray about it, however there are times I pull out my so-called good advice like a gunslinger drawing his weapon.
Solomon also said one time, “There is a time to speak and a time to be silent.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) That’s the key - knowing when to shut up and when to speak. After all, we are not the Holy Spirit Police.
In today’s reading Solomon said: “Don’t speak to fools; they will only ignore your wise words.” (Proverbs 23:9 NCV)
Solomon used the word “fool” quite a bit. The Hebrew word for "fool" is eviyl (ev-EEL), which means "to be perverse, and silly". Since the word almost sounds like “evil”, some say foolishness is evil, however that’s not an accurate interpretation.
I suppose a fool could be anyone unwilling to learn from God’s teaching.
So what’s the take-away? I think we should help people. I feel we should speak up. But most importantly, we should love first and always. And when in doubt, probably just shut up and love them.
We should trust that God will send a message or a messenger and it doesn’t always have to be me. Somehow it just gets worked out by The Holy Spirit. We (me) need to trust that.
LORD, help me know when to speak and when to be silent. And help me know how to share love in all circumstances. IJNIP amen ♥️
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