Mouth Control

Read Proverbs 21

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

Proverbs 21:23

Once again, a proverb willingly plays the role of “Master of the Obvious.” However, this simple piece of advice, though touted in various forms, is rarely practiced. Foot-in-mouth disease is a worldwide epidemic. We regularly spill secrets. We speak volumes about what we don’t really know. We say the first thing that comes to mind with fluent precision but little forethought about its implications.

Instead of implementing the proverb’s “quit while ahead” philosophy, we often open our mouths wider in an attempt to talk our way out of trouble. In short, the advice is simple, but following the advice is something else altogether. However, the whole of Scripture helps put the principle into practice. Wait on the Lord. Pray for wisdom. Meditate on God’s Word. If we feel we must do something in the heat of the moment, there are many things to keep us busy as we practice keeping our mouths shut.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Don’t even explain why you’re biting your tongue.

Today, Lord, I am thankful for the times you have saved me from trouble by helping me stay quiet.