Don’t tell everything you know.

13 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by JD in Today's Scrubbing Tags: , , , , , , ,

Scripture:
And Joseph dreamed a dream and he told it his brethren and they hated him yet the more. – Genesis 37:5

Observation:
When Joseph was 17 years old, he received a dream from God that one day his brothers, and eventually his whole family, would come under his leadership. In his arrogance, he made the mistake of telling his brothers about his initial dream, which only stirred up resentment and anger in them. He would later come to regret his decision because his brothers would turn on him and sell him into slavery, when they’d originally intended to murder him. However, the harm they intended for him actually turned out to be used for all their good by God when Joseph’s enslavement led to his becoming prime minister of Egypt. This last move of God established him in a position of leadership, under which his family would bow down before him. It subsequently saved their lives and set up the process for creating the nation of Israel and fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob of their descendants being a blessing to the nations.

Application:
Sometimes, people do receive a special message from God, either by vision, dream or prophecy. It is not always prudent to announce everything to people publicly until the proper time. Let’s admit it; Joseph was a cocky young man. When he had the dream, he got excited and just had to tell his brothers without giving forethought to the consequence of his action. Even though his wrongdoing and that of his brothers’ wrongdoing let to God’s working in their lives, it was not the right thing to do.

We, all, would do well to learn to put our brains in gear before putting our mouths in motion. Sure, Solomon and James both said that no one can tame the tongue, but we can exercise self-control. As we mature in Messiah, His Spirit develops His fruit within us. One part of that fruit is the development of self-control. The Spirit will help us to refrain from doing stupid things in life IF we will but learn to hear and heed His instruction. When we do so, it will lead us to stop doing things that bring us problems. This process won’t transpire overnight, but it will happen. Allow God to work in you and on you. You’ll be glad you did.

I once heard a saying that says, everything said must be truth, but not every truth needs to be said. Joseph could have stood to learn that lesson. We could, too. Sometimes things are just better off left unsaid. Ask God; He’ll tell you.

Prayer:
Father, oh how I used to struggle with telling everything I knew. I used to blab detailed information about others and myself to anyone who would listen. Thank You for helping to reign me in on this problem. I still catch myself at times saying something I would later regret, but I don’t do it nearly with the frequency of the past. Please continue to hone me in this area of my life. I’m glad You love me enough to mold me and shape me according to Your will and desire. I submit myself to Your authority. In Jesus’ name, Amen.