Christine Smith´s Books

I’m not sure where this saying originates from. But from a Biblical perspective, it’s true.

There’s a lot of controversy and uproar right now, on a global scale, about a new tell-all book by someone very well-known.

“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).

Wisdom vs foolishness: “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back” (Proverbs 29:11).

“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent”.(Proverbs 17:28).

The Scriptures are not there to spoil our fun! They are to help and guide us – and to save us from ourselves! They are there to make life easier; to stop us making regrettable mistakes. There’s nothing safer that to seek wisdom from the Lord before making any big decision. And according to Proverbs 15:22, consultation with others is also wise.

I’d been told many times, that I was ‘too closed’ a person. That I was not open enough. But I am a naturally shy and secretive person, an introvert, and I hate attention. That’s why on accompanying my extrovert husband on his preaching engagements, I would hide in bathrooms of the church so that the pastor couldn’t call on me to give a few words! (which I soon realised they usually did with minister’s wives). But I was always nowhere to be found!

I also love secrets, and find pleasure in keeping a secret. I can, and have kept secrets locked within forever. That’s why I started my Christian Agony Aunt https://christinesmitheurope.wordpress.com/my-new-christian-agony-aunt-page-even-in-laughter-the-heart-may-be-in-pain/

However, after being told so many times that I was not ‘open enough’ I thought I’d best listen, and try to change. But it was when I was in hospital for the birth of our third child, Cherry, that was to be my very first tough lesson on best to keep keep quiet about certain things! (Lost in Faith. Chapter 8 ‘It could take faith… to keep quiet!’). I learned the hard way, that we do not need to tell everything about everything (like ungodly therapists advise, which Psalm 1:1 says is taking counsel from the ungodly, leading to bitter regret!) even if it was something from the Lord.

Are you going through some turmoil?

Are you planning to talk to someone about it?

Sometimes, it’s better – to only talk to the Lord about certain things.

“Nor is His ear so dull that He cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears” (2 Kings 20:5).

It can take faith not to spill the beans!

It can take faith to keep things to yourself sometimes.

But faith is what pleases the Lord!

“The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent“ (Exodus 14:14).

Silence is golden.

“A time to speak and a time to be silent” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

There are far too many verses of Scripture to put here of how the Lord values – and rewards silence! He even told some not to tell about their miracle of healing! It can take faith… to keep quiet!

Yes, the Scripture does say that we should “confess our sins one to another”. This is humbling. But there’s a difference in confessing a sin as opposed to ‘sharing everything in your life – or the lives of others’, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a secret” (Proverbs 11:13).

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:8).

One of the things hard for me to handle on a mission field of small villages, was the gossip. But I realised they were a persecuted, fiercely controlled, and an oppressed race, with no motivation or permitted interests, because of living under a fearful and cruel dictator called General Franco. All adults had to do was gossip, due to sheer immaturity.

But with spiritual maturity should come control of one’s tongue, “There is one who’s rash words are like swords. But the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). This healing can even be inner healing or emotional healing.

I haven’t bought the controversial new book and I will not because…

“A talebearer revealeth secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13).

May God bless you,

Christine.

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My books: https://christinesmitheurope.wordpress.com/christines-books/