THE INDISCREET TONGUE

The Indiscreet Tongue

Discretion will protect you,

and understanding will guard you.

Proverbs 2:11




After the great flood that destroyed most of the

earth, Noah planted a vineyard. One day he got car-

ried away and drank too much wine. His son Ham

discovered him in his tent—drunk and naked.

Scripture tells us that Ham “saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside” (Genesis 9:22). Exercising more discretion than Ham, his brothers would not even look on their father, but backed into the tent and covered him with a garment. Their discretion was a sign of their maturity. One who is discreet shows prudence and wise self restraint in speech and behavior—and always reaps a positive consequence.




Indiscretion can be costly. Some subject matters should simply be off limits for discussion. You would be wise to never discuss your salary or bonus—especially with other company personnel. Your sex life should also be off limits as an item of discussion with a non-counseling outsider.





Ham’s indiscretion proved costly for him. When

Noah sobered up, he realized his shame and was

sorely displeased with the manner in which Ham had

handled the situation. Noah cursed him and doomed

his descendents to slavery.




Have you ever found out something about a

leader or other prominent person and could not

refrain from telling someone? If God has trusted you

enough to reveal someone’s nakedness or sin, have

you ever considered that you were not to “see” and

“tell” but rather to cover that nakedness with discretion and intercession?




Having grown up in church,I have seen the nakedness of many leaders.God has often reminded me that He was trusting me not to “cover up,” but to “cover with.” It can be a very uncomfortable position. God may even call you to confront the individual regarding his or her wrongdoing. He did so with Nathan the prophet, who confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of her husband to cover it up (2 Samuel 12).Whatever God mandates, do it His way. A public revelation is not always necessary as it can cause irreparable damage to the body of Hamachiach. David’s sin with Bathsheba never became the topic of a public scandal. However, David suffered the consequences through his family and other areas of his life. A leader’s punishment is God’s business.




Caution! If you serve in a position of authority,

such as a member of a board of directors, then you

have a responsibility to deal with ungodly behavior

in a leader. Confront with love and compassion. No

one is perfect, and no one has 20-20 vision on himself. Remember that. God may someday show someone your nakedness. Pray that it will be handled with wisdom. Plant the seed of discretion now.




Today’s Affirmation:

My discretion will protect me and

understanding will guard me.