Christian Living

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The Wisdom Of The Holy Spirit
© 2006

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Has these events ever occurred to in your life?

o Someone you know just purchased a brand new car that goes on and on about how great his new car is in an attempt to push your “jealousy button” because he just bought a new care last year. You know he earns about the same amount of money as you, lives in the same general area as you, and pays the same amount of money in utility bills as you. When someone comments as to how great the car looks, you have a choice: make a snide remark that he has spent money beyond his ability and means or smile and agree with a silent nod to the admirer.

o While working on the job an adult female member the secretarial staff makes a sexually inappropriate and provocative bodily gesture and comment seemingly, it appears, hoping she caught your attention. How could she, you wonder, do what she did but you know that nothing can be done at the moment. You have a choice: to verbally criticize her behavior or remain silent as though you didn’t see what you saw or hear what she said.

o A fellow professional forgets to keep their appointment with you thus wasting your time and does not call to change their appointment or apologize. Do you discuss the short sighted behavior with this person’s oversight or not?

Several days before leaving for active military duty, these incidents occurred
to me. I don’t know about you, but the Holy Spirit seems to burden me the greatest when He wants me to remain silent. My inclination is to say: Oh come on!!!!” and say and do what I want that is MY way and correct to me—“justice”. Or just remain silent which, in this instance, is God’s way. Three quick personal thoughts often help me stop and think before opening my mouth and saying what’s on my mind:

1. What I say, in criticism of others, generally says more about me than it does about them.

2. Never say anything about another person I wouldn’t say if that person was standing in front of me.

3. Don’t criticize something one cannot change.

The above guidelines do not guarantee that I will make the appropriate
choice but giving them conscientious effort gives me the opportunity to think and consider what I am about to say. It also gives me a chance to listen to the Holy Spirit and concede to His Will.

The summer months are hot, slow down months very suited to vacation, to pause and consider how we respond to the acts and actions of others. When the Holy Spirit touches you and directs you to be silent, why no slow down before acting or speaking and consider His Wisdom rather than your own.

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