The Words of Job Are Ended

The words of Job are ended.

Job 31:40

Job was a wise man. He knew when to stop talking. He spend quite a bit of time defending himself. But eventually he stopped. He had spoken his piece, and now he was finished. Further debate wouldn't change the minds of his friends. Rehashing it further wouldn't make them change their minds. It would only serve to further separate their friendship.

We should be like Job and realize when it's time to end our words. Sometimes we believe that we can convince people to think like us if we just explain it better, but often that is not the case. We just need to realize that some people will not agree with us even when we know that we believe the truth. More explaining and convincing can actually serve to further cement their beliefs and cut off future opportunities to show them the truth.

Lord, help me to know when to end my words. Help me to know when to value relationships over speaking the truth. Help me to be willing to speak when I should speak and to be quiet when I should be.