Discernment and Our Speech

Discernment helps us to realize that there is "a time to keep quiet and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3:7)  This quality also makes us careful about what we say. Proverbs 11:12, 13 states:  "The one in want of heart has despised his own fellowman, but the man  of broad discernment is one that keeps silent.  The one walking  about is a slanderer uncovering confidential talk, but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter."  Yes, a man or a woman who despises  another person is in want of heart."  According to lexicographer Wilhelm Gesenius,  such an individual is "void of understanding." He or she lacks good judgment, and the use of the term "heart" shows that positive qualities of the inner person are deficient.  If a professing Christian should  carry his or her loose talk to the point of slander or reviling, appointed elders must act to put an end to this unwholesome situation in the congregation. -Leviticus 19:16; Psalm  101:5; 1 Corinthians 5:11. 

Unlike those "in want of heart," individuals of "broad discernment" keep silent when it is appropriate to do so.  They do not betray a confidence. (Proverbs 20:19)  Knowing that unguarded speech can cause harm, discerning ones are "faithful in spirit."  They are loyal to fellow believers and do not divulge confidential matters that might endanger them. If discerning Christians receive confidential information of any kind pertaining to the congregation, they keep it to themselves until Jehovah's organization sees good to make it known by its own means of publication.

Next time: Discernment and Our Conduct

From the Watchtower magazine, 1997