Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. ESV

Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. ESV

Yesterday I spoke about selfishness and more examples to find wisdom associated with the word. As I ended yesterday’s devotional a thought came to mind about associated with our behavior in communication.

Do you value your opinion over your relationships? An opinion is personal. In a way it is selfish because it is yours. It doesn’t really matter if others agree with you so much as it does in your ability to express it. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked into the eyes of another, knowing in my heart that all they are waiting for is a lull in the silence to voice their opinion on the matter. I can recognize it because I have done that very thing myself.

It is one thing to be knowledgeable of the Lord and help where needed and another to flaunt your opinion. True enough these verses in Proverbs speak to a fool in his folly but does it say with any certainty that the fool’s opinion is wrong? By implication we would like to think that the fool is wrong, but what if his only motivation is selfish desire and takes no care or concern for others, timing, and the leaning of the Lord?

Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Just because you want to say it and it is true, does not mean it is a word in due season. It is important to know if the moment is of the Lord or in self-interest. Wisdom is knowing the difference.