Don't say all you know - Charles Bridges

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Solparvus

Puritan Board Senior
A friend of mine noted that while we should speak and defend the truth, it doesn't mean we say everything at once, which is where cage-stage types often go wrong. Sometimes good and right things are better left unsaid according to the circumstances, or deferred until a more seasonable opportunity.

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Proverbs 12:23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Knowledge
is a talent to be wisely, not promiscuously, communicated. (Chap. ix. 9. Matt. vii. 6.) In Scriptural knowledge indeed there must be no concealment of fundamental truths (Ps. xl. 9, 10. 1 Cor. xv. 3); or in declaring on suitable occasions, or to suitable persons, the gracious dealings of God to our own souls. Much harm would be done by obtruding upon the ungodly those interior matters of Christian experience, which we are invited to tell to those "that fear God." (Ps. lxvi. 16.) Every truth is not therefore fitting for every person, or for every time. (Eccles. iii. 7. Amos, v. 1.3.) Our blessed Lord charged upon his disciples the prudent concealment of knowledge, after his example, till a more favourable season. (Matt. xvi. 20; xvii. 9. John, xvi. 12.) The Apostle concealed his knowledge for fourteen years, and even then mentioned it reluctantly, to vindicate his own rightful claims of Apostleship. (2 Cor. xii. 1-6.) Elihu, though "full of matter," and longing to give vent, yet prudently concealed his knowledge, till his elders had opened his way. (Job, xxxii. 6, 18, 19.)

Circumstances also may sometimes prudently dictate concealment. Abraham spared the feelings of his family, and cleared his own path, by hiding the dreadful message of his God.* Joseph concealed his kindred for the discipline of his brethren (Gen. xlii. 7); Esther from a prudent regard to consequences to herself. (Esth. ii. 10.) Nothing can justify speaking contrary to the truth. But we are not always obliged to tell the whole truth. Jeremiah answered all that he was bound to speak; not all that he might have spoken. (Jer. xxxviii. 24-27.) In all these cases "the wise man's heart will discern both time and judgment" (Eccles. viii. 5. Chap. xv. 2); cherishing at once a sound judgment and an ardent love for truth.

The fool however everywhere proclaims his foolishness. (Eccles. x. 3, 12-14.) He imprudently opens his heart. (Judg. xvi. 17.) He is dogmatical in dispute, when wiser men are cautious. He is teaching, when he ought to take the learner's place; his self-confidence proclaiming his emptiness. (1 Tim. vi. 3,4.) Self-distrust and humility are most important, to enable us to improve the gifts of God for his glory.


* Gen. xxii. 1-7. Comp. Moses' conduct, Exod. iv. 18.
 
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