We live in a fallen world. A world that is far from perfect. In a perfect world, there would be no jealousy.
In a perfect world, there would be no envy. In a perfect world, there would be [music] no resentment. But we don't live in a perfect world.
We live in a world filled with broken people, complicated people, sinful people. And nothing is quite as complicated as a human being. Human beings are more complicated than anything else in creation.
We have the ability to wear masks. We have the capacity to say one [music] thing while meaning another. A human being can hate you and pretend to love you for years.
A human being can hate you and marry you for your money or for what you can give them or do for them. A human being can eat [music] at your table, smile in your face, say, "I love you," and still plot your downfall in the secret places of their heart. I wish this was not the case.
I wish the world [music] was not like this, but it is. Do not be a naive Christian who believes everyone [music] everywhere wants the best for you and only has good intentions. No, some people's intentions are bad and downright evil.
That's the truth about the world we live in. We [music] must not be naive. We must not walk through life without wisdom.
And today I want to speak to you on the importance of guarding your mouth, of keeping certain things to yourself, of being led by the Holy Spirit in what you share and what you keep private. Let's look at the story of Joseph in Genesis 37. Joseph was a young man favored [music] by his father Jacob.
He was given a special coat of many colors, a symbol of his father's love and favor. Because of this, his brothers already harbored jealousy toward him. But then something happened.
Joseph had dreams, prophetic dreams from God that revealed he would one day be exalted above his brothers. And what did he do? He told them.
He shared these dreams openly, not once but twice. Genesis 37 5-8. Now Joseph had a dream and he told it to his brothers and they hated him even more.
[music] So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed. " There we were binding sheav in the field. Then behold, my sheath arose [music] and also stood upright.
And indeed your sheav stood all around and bowed down to my sheath. And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us, or shall you indeed have dominion over us? " So they hated him even more for his dreams and [music] for his words.
Did you catch that? They hated him even more for his dreams and for his [music] words. Not just the dreams, but the fact that he told them.
This teaches us a timeless and painful [music] truth. Not everyone can handle your vision. Not everyone will rejoice in your future.
Not everyone will be glad when God begins to [music] lift you up. In fact, some people are secretly hoping you never rise. The more Joseph spoke, the more he was hated.
And eventually that hatred grew into betrayal. Genesis 37 18 to20. Now when they saw him aar off, even before he came near them, they conspired [music] against him to kill him.
Then they said to one another, "Look, this dreamer is coming. Come, therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit. " and we shall say some wild beast has devoured him.
We shall see what will become of his dreams. Their jealousy turned into a dangerous [music] plot, a violent conspiracy. And all Joseph did was share the truth.
He merely shared what God had shown him. But this reveals something vital. Truth alone is not enough.
Even if what you're saying is true, even if what you're saying is from God, it doesn't mean it's meant for everyone to hear. There is a danger in speaking [music] too soon. And there is a danger in speaking too freely.
Words can build, but words can also destroy. Sometimes what you say can plant a seed of encouragement, but sometimes what you say can plant a seed of envy and jealousy. We often think that people will be happy for us, but that's not always the case.
Joseph found out the hard way. Ecclesiastes 3:7. A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be silent and a time to speak. Wisdom is knowing the difference. Discernment is understanding when to open your mouth and when to keep it closed.
Joseph's story is not just a story about betrayal. It's a story about the consequence of sharing too much with the wrong people. It teaches us that words can provoke jealousy [music] and that sometimes silence is the wisest path.
Let me say this plainly. People can hate you without a reason. You don't have to do them [music] wrong.
You don't have to offend them. You don't have to lie, cheat, or steal. Just being favored by God can make someone hate you.
Just having peace can irritate [music] someone else's chaos. Just walking in integrity can provoke someone else's bitterness. People can hate you simply because God has blessed you or is blessing you.
But that's the reality of the world we live in. Look at Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:8.
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother. And it came to pass when they were in the field that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Why did Cain kill Abel?
Because Abel did the right thing. That's it. Abel didn't [music] steal.
Abel didn't provoke him. Abel simply gave an offering that pleased God and Cain hated him for it. What does that tell us?
that some people will despise you simply because you're doing what's right. That your righteousness alone can stir hatred in the hearts of others. [music] So what more your success?
What more your breakthrough? What more your divine favor? If doing good can provoke hatred, imagine what announcing your dreams can do.
And this is why wisdom [music] must guide our words. Because your mouth can become your enemy. Your openness can [music] invite attack.
What God has shown you is precious. It's holy. And not everyone can be trusted with holy things.
You don't have to post everything on social media. I am not saying do not post on social media. But I am saying you do not have to post every single aspect of your life on social [music] media.
Not everyone who follows you is for you. Some people follow you just to monitor you. Some people are secretly hoping to see you fall.
And every update you post is like [music] fuel for their bitterness. There's wisdom in moving in silence. There's wisdom in protecting what [music] God is doing in your life.
When you constantly broadcast every blessing, every [music] opportunity, and every move, you unknowingly invite unwanted attention and sometimes even spiritual warfare. Proverbs 29 11 says, "A fool vents all his [music] feelings, but a wise man holds them back. " You don't have to tell everyone your plans.
[music] You don't need to broadcast every blessing. Sometimes the most spiritual thing [music] you can do is say nothing. Sometimes the most [music] protective thing you can do for your future is to keep it hidden.
Let God reveal it in his timing. Think of how a seed grows. It starts underground.
It's hidden. No one sees it. No one applauds it.
No one celebrates it. But in due season, it sprouts. In due season, it bears fruit.
So it is with the things God has planted in [music] your life. Protect the seed while it's in the soil. Don't expose it to elements that will destroy it.
I remember reading a news story about a famous rapper who was fatally shot during a home invasion at a rented property in the Hollywood Hills. Authorities believe the attackers found his location after he and a friend posted images on Instagram that accidentally revealed the home's address. One of the photos showed a gift bag with a label clearly displaying the full address.
It's not paranoia. It's wisdom. It's not fear.
It's discernment. Don't confuse godly wisdom with fear or secrecy. It's not about being suspicious of everyone, but about walking in spiritual maturity.
It's knowing that while we are called to love [music] people, we are also called to guard what God has entrusted to us. Don't give wolves the blueprint to your destiny. Be wise.
Be prayerful. And let the Holy Spirit guide not just your steps, but also [music] your words. In this world, wisdom isn't optional.
It's survival. Wisdom is not talking to everyone every time you and your husband or wife have an argument. Wisdom is not inviting the opinions of people who don't pray for you into the private matters of [music] your home.
Wisdom is not turning your marriage into a public debate. Wisdom is learning when to speak and when to remain silent even in moments of pain or frustration. Wisdom is not telling everyone your failures, shortcomings, and faults.
Because not everyone who listens loves you, and not everyone who smiles at you is safe. Wisdom is knowing [music] that some people have evil motives. Wisdom is knowing that some people are more entertained by your downfall than they are invested in your growth.
Wisdom is understanding that your vulnerability should be reserved for safe places, godly counsel, trusted leaders, and prayer before God. Wisdom is keeping certain matters between you and God until he releases you to speak. Wisdom is realizing that silence is sometimes the greatest defense and discretion is sometimes the strongest weapon.
Wisdom is not just knowing what to say, but knowing when and where and to whom to say it. Wisdom is walking with the Holy Spirit and allowing him to filter your words before they ever leave your lips. Proverbs 4 23.
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Joseph learned this the hard way. He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned.
All because of a mixture of favor, envy, and his own youthful openness. But God used it all. God had a plan.
And in the end, Joseph was lifted up just as God had shown him. He became second in command in Egypt. His dreams came [music] true.
His brothers bowed before him just as he saw in the dream. Even though people meant it for evil, God used it for good. Isn't it wonderful that even when we make bad decisions and even when people do bad things against us, God can still turn the situation around for his glory and our good.
That's the kind of God we serve. [music] A God who redeems, restores, and repositions. Nothing is wasted in the hands of God.
He can take our pain and produce purpose. He can take betrayal and build a blessing. He can take the lowest moments of your life and use them as stepping stones to elevate you.
Joseph went through the fire, but he came out refined. And so will you. What the enemy meant for harm, God is using to shape your future.
Don't give up. Your redemption story is still being written. But make no mistake, the journey was painful.
And perhaps, just perhaps, it didn't have to be as painful if he had been a bit more discerning with his words. If he had waited and prayed instead of rushing to speak, if he had trusted [music] God with the process instead of rushing to show others what God was doing. So to you who are listening today, be wise, be spirit-led, [music] speak less, pray more, move in silence, and let your results speak.
Let your fruit testify, and let God be the one to exalt you when the time is right. Because in this fallen world, not everyone wants what's best for you. Some will celebrate you publicly, but resent you privately.
Some will smile while secretly hoping you fail. That's the nature of humanity. But take heart because God is faithful.
He sees what others don't. He protects what you entrust to him. And in due time, he will make all things beautiful.
Guard your vision. Guard your dreams. Guard your heart.
And most of all, guard your words.
