Just Stop!

If you have been foolish in exalting yourselfOr if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Proverbs 30:32 (NKJV)

Here we’re warned of two very foolish things: exalting yourself and devising trouble.

What is the practical advice given to those who do that? Stop! Put your hand on your mouth and stop talking. It’s foolish to either excuse the behavior or accuse someone else. Just stop talking.

So let’s look at the foolish behavior of exalting self. In most families there is someone who is always on their high horse, belittling others, critical, bossy. Anytime we exalt ourselves, others are unexalted, whether we mean to or not. So if it’s you, put your hand on your mouth, and let it be a filter saying, “In this conversation, Lord, check me. Keep me from saying anything that makes me look better than others, puts others down, or hurts other’s feelings.”

Secondly, have your words been used to plant little seeds of discord? In your family have you criticized your sister or brother-in-law or mother? Are you still complaining about something someone did last Christmas? If so, face it. The Bible calls that “devising evil.” Shame on you. In all these things put your hand over your mouth and stop it.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29, NKJV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Harmony and sweetness of spirit are distinct characteristics of godliness. Could you say that is your heart’s desire? If it is, then it’s good to do some periodic fruit inspecting. Prayerfully ponder all the interaction with people you have had over the last few weeks. Was there evidence that the Holy Spirit and all of his personality traits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) were active and overflowing in your life? If not, would you like him to be?

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I come to you with an honest heart. I know I fail. But with all my heart I want to grow. I’m like an empty cup; fill me with your Holy Spirit and make me more like you.

One Year Bible Reading

Zechariah 9:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 30:32