There is a way that is acceptable to the Lord and a way that is not. If we think it is okay to say and do whatever we want to, we are badly mistaken. The words of our mouth, the meditation of our heart, and the way we live our life do matter, and we should be pursuing what is acceptable before God.

One thing we must also realize is that we do not always have to respond when we are spoken to or asked a question. Ecclesiastes 3:7 says that there is a “…time to speak and a time keep silence….”  Sometimes doing what is acceptable to God in a situation means doing and saying absolutely nothing. What is important is to make sure that whatever He says to do, that we do it.

Jesus is, of course, our ultimate example in everything. One has said that the same Book which gives the facts of the Saviour’s readiness to pour out the treasures of His knowledge and affection upon certain ones, shows Him reticent, reserved, and even silent to others who were following Him in His journeys. The Gospel says plainly and unmistakably that there were persons to whom He did not commit Himself.

There were some people like Herod and Pilate, to whom Christ was always silent, and still others to whom He did not commit Himself. Here was not a refusal to speak, but a careful avoidance of confidence and trust as to deep Gospel truths, His own personal life and history, and plans for the present and future of the Kingdom He had come to establish.

Jesus said, “do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor casts your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet” (Matt. 7:6). I do not believe He was telling us to label certain people as dogs and swine!  But the truth remains, we are not supposed to broadcast what is private and precious to just every body. Proverbs says that “discretion accompanies good sense.”

Closely related to reticence is a quality known as demure. Demure is “marked by quiet modesty, restraint, sedate reserve, sobriety; propriety; not demanding attention; serious, calm, composed.”

One possessing true demure is calm, composed, and free from any pressure to draw attention to themselves. They do not tell everything about themselves, but instead are reserved and selective in their speech and conduct, which results from an inward sufficiency.

Refinement has often been mocked and ridiculed in our society, yet the Word of God stresses that we walk in refinement of character and conduct at all times. After all, we must remember that we are representing Him. So we must order our speech and conduct in a manner honouring to the Lord.

“Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone” (Col. 4:6 NLT).

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Eph. 4:29 NLT).

As with any art, reticence must be developed and practiced with diligence. No one becomes skilled at anything overnight. Giftings and talents are something with which we are born, but the skills to fulfill those things to their highest potential are something we must cultivate and grow.
“The Spirit of God has made us, and the breath of the Almighty gives us life” (Job 33.4).

Let us allow His Life to flow through our words and actions more than ever, so that when we open our mouth to speak, our words will be those of choice silver.