“What should you do when you’re in a hole, son?”
This is the question I often ask when one of my four boys responds to correction by arguing or deflecting blame. They know the routine. The question interrupts their defense mechanisms. Most of the time, their little arms drop to their sides as they sigh and answer: “Stop digging.”
It’s a word picture Scripture gives us, and one I like to imagine David used as he corrected his son, Solomon. It was King David who penned, “He dug a pit and hollowed it out but fell into the hole he had made” (Psalm 7:15). Solomon repeated his father’s wisdom when he wrote, “The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake” (Ecclesiastes 10:8). (Don’t you like how he added that last part?)
I don’t know about you, but I don’t do a lot of pit digging, let alone snake-infested wall-breaking, for that matter. Without context, I might be tempted to race right past these verses thinking they don’t apply. But as we study Scripture’s Wisdom Literature, we see that neither David nor Solomon were warning against a literal pit, the kind that is dug with an actual shovel. No, this is a pit of trouble, and the shovel, in this case, is our words.
It was Solomon who reflected, “The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him” (Ecclesiastes 10:12), and his father David who prayed, “LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
If you’ve ever felt buried under the weight of your foolish words, or wished there were a superglue that could seal your mouth shut, I’m sure you can relate. We all can. When our words have dug us into a pit of trouble, God’s Word and His Spirit remind us that wise words can only flow from a wise heart. When our speech reveals our folly we have a choice. Argue, deflect, defend, or stop digging and repent, asking the Lord to give us hearts more like His.
The reference on the preceding picture is Proverbs, not Ecclesiastes. Oops!
This morning I pray that those of us who are white can confront the ways that we too allow a racist system to proceed, rather than feel defensive about it like Erin’s sons. Only by being open to correction can we see change.
Amen
Amen
I love that saying, “What should you do when you are in a hole? Stop digging.” I don’t think I have heard it before.
I had heard the story of a man who was furious with his mule so he pushed him into a large hole and started shoveling in dirt on top of him. Except, every time the man shoveled in dirt, the mule shook it off his back and stomped it under his feet. Pretty soon the dirt under his feet was enough that the mule stepped right out of the hole.
In the first situation, you are only making things worse, so you need to stop.
In the second situation, the mule took what was being thrown at him and used it for good.
Maybe that is why I like Ecclesiastes so much. It seems like Solomon is saying…stuff is going to happen. When it does, what will you do? What is the wise thing? Eat, drink, and enjoy your work. If what you are doing isn’t good, stop. Folly is a burden. If you are in a difficult situation, make the best of where you are and what you have. Paul, in the New Testament, took it a step further when he said he had learned to be content with what he had, whether much or little.
Love this! The last few sentences of what you wrote really stood out to me as I have had a hard time concerning my workplace lately. Asking God why? Why he allowed a certain change that I thought would be for my betterment. Because I do not see the positives at the moment. But, maybe I will never know this side of heaven. Maybe it’s an opportunity to improve my attitude and trust God….I will try to make the best of it. Thanks for sharing these encouraging thoughts Angie!
This is so good. Love your analogy and how nicely your put this into words. Thank you
May we always have gracious words, seasoned with salt. Salt: gives people a thirst for more of the Lord. He will help us and His love can overflow through us, even when it seems impossible. His power is made perfect in weak people ♥️
Love this! On my heart this morning: May the Lord give me the wisdom to know when to “guard my mouth and keep watch at the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). May he also reveal when I can use my words to “add salt.” ❤️ Have a blessed day, sisters!
Churchmouse: I also wish I was there to enjoy your wisdom during your back porch Bible Study. Thank you for sharing with us through SRT.
Erin: Thank you for this devotion! It certainly hit home with me.
Kristen: Your thoughts are my sentiments also. Though I don’t think of myself as “ prideful,” I have been convicted once again, that is a part of my sinful nature that escapes much too quickly through the folly of my words.
LORD, please forgive me when I allow Satan use my pride as a way to deflect Your Words and Your Spirit from flowing from my heart. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my mind be pleasing to you, Lord. Amen
I felt every bit of these words. The conviction is STRONG! Whew, Lord, work in this heart of mine!
Deanna, my heart echoes your prayer. I feel called to speak out against the racial injustices and violence that our black community is suffering. However, I do not wish to start fights – I wish to unify myself with those who are suffering and amplify their voice. Lord, let the words be Yours, not my own. Amen
Churchmouse I would love to be one of the women on your back deck! Our churches will likely not be able to gather at all this summer in person as we are still under the maximum bubble size of 5. Yesterday I succumbed to a full on bawling COvid meltdown…just grieving so much going on…but Jesus gave me a beautiful sleep with rain pouring outside and today is a new day.
I so desire to have wise words flow from a wise heart. Lord please make me more like you.
Lord, in these trying times, please let my words be wise. Please let me use them to unify rather than divide.