Proverbs 17:27-28 This proverb basically says, "If you have any sense at all, keep your mouth shut." Solomon puts it more eloquently when he writes, "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace: when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."

When we have an understanding heart, we have an excellent spirit, and we will listen more than we speak. We would save our souls from many troubles if we learned to be a people of few words. Whenever we speak anything aloud, demon spirits are listening, and they will use the very words we speak against us.

Satan cannot read our minds, but he hears our minds if we speak them out. I heard someone say that if we are always giving others a piece of our mind, we run the risk of becoming half-witted.

We are exhorted in this proverb to hold our peace. I have always prayed for my sons to have the same excellent spirit Daniel had. Daniel was a young man who was exalted to high positions because he knew what to say, when to say it, how to say it and also when to be quiet.

When we hold our peace, we make even our enemies to be at peace with us. Daniel had adversaries, but these adversaries eventually saw the evidence of the mighty God Daniel served when he was thrown into the fire and into the lions' den. Daniel never said a word against his nation, but instead he prayed diligently for his nation, and he even confessed the sins of his nation as if they were his own. A person has an excellent spirit when he uses his voice to pray for the leaders of his nation rather than murmur and complain and criticize those in authority. I flinch every time I hear a joke about our president, because I know how such talk is strictly against what we have been taught in the Word. The Word teaches us we are to speak evil of no man and to honor those in authority. We are exhorted in the Bible to use our tongues to edify, not to tear down. I know many times I have failed in this area. You may want to join me as I confess this to the Lord.

Lord, forgive me for the times I have used my tongue to tear down rather than to edify. Forgive me for the times I have criticized my leaders instead of praying for them. Help me to be a person of understanding who has an excellent spirit. Help me to listen more than I speak, and may the words I speak always be pleasing in Your sight.