Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:28

In James 3, the writer points out the danger of the tongue, that by the things we say, we are led into trouble. The danger, of course, is not only spiritual and individual. Very few “dangerous” things can be said to yourself, alone. But to defend our pride, to remain consistent, to simply agree that what we say is what we mean, we may do many wrong things.

The remedy for this, James says, is to be perfect. Sometimes the best version of that perfection, or maturity we could say, is silence.

Ethan Kirl