Both listen and silent each have meanings of their own, but that one could be contained within the letters of the other is quite interesting. More than this; in the real world being silent and listening to another is almost a lost art, which needs to be cultivated once again.
The Scripture says…
Proverbs 17 ( World English Bible )
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
So, being silent is equated with wisdom and discernment? The Apostle Paul wrote the following to the Corinthians, who thought themselves wise, but were in fact foolish.
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
In our society, we value education highly. The person who has an associate degree is recognized as having some education,but, someone who has a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences is considered educated and those who advance to Master’s degree level even more so. Those who have a doctorate are considered very educated. And those who have multiple PhD's, well some would consider them geniuses. Yet, I have known PhD’s who didn’t have the common sense to take a shower, even when they really, really needed one.
BUT, are they wise in the things that really matter? Sadly, most of the time- NO! For, only that which really endures matters. Any what really matters? Consider the humble lollipop as compared to a diamond of the same size? Why is the diamond considered so valuable in comparison to the lollipop? Isn’t the diamond just a stone and the lollipop just a treat. But, that diamond, formed in the heart of the Earth, under tremendous pressures, will endure seemingly unto the end of time. We value its rarity, its beauty and its longevity. We give our bride to be an engagement ring ( usually a diamond ) to symbolize our commitment to her and express our desire to have a union of beauty, longevity and preciousness.
As valuable as a diamond is, it is not the most valuable thing in our life, for life itself is; and life that endures beyond our mortal existence excels that by an untold multiplier.
Be wise, seek the wisdom that comes from God. Be silent before God and listen to HIM and learn of the true wisdom that only Jesus can teach. Remember this famous passage from the Gospel of Matthew…
Matthew 7 ( WEB )
21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’
23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
24 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.
25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.
27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Humm… Are we listening yet? If not, then try being silent, Jesus will wait...