Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Ever heard of someone having “foot in mouth disease”?  Have you ever said something that you had to retract or apologize for?  Wouldn’t we all have much healthier relationships if we learned to keep quiet?  Solomon shares some wisdom on this in Proverbs 13:2-3. #YFA #iDevo

Sometimes I wonder if Solomon had ADD?  (Hope that’s not disrespectful.) Proverbs 13 is a great example . . . In 25 short verses he addresses several topics, i.e. our speech, laziness, righteousness, riches, wickedness, pride, etc., . . . and that’s only 10 verses!

I’ve heard it said many, many times over my lifetime that Solomon was the wisest man in the Old Testament.  I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know he asked God for wisdom and understanding, and God granted his request 100 times over!  This guy was incredible. It’s like he was the very mouthpiece of God. He was that good.

Here’s the bottom line . . . If Solomon addressed an issue in my life or your life, we need to listen.  As with every verse of scripture, that is the Holy Spirit speaking directly to us. And as I was reading Proverbs 13, verses 2 and 3 really caught my attention.  Why? Because I tend to say things that I later regret! If we’re honest, we all do. Solomon said that if we guard our lips, we guard our lives. He said in a separate chapter that “the tongue has the power of life and death” (18:21).  In other words, what we  say matters!

Here’s the challenge I want to leave with you . . . the next time you are tempted to say something out of anger or hurt or emotion, DON’T!  Again, the tendency is to react.  That is fleshly.  That causes harm. Instead, back up, pause, wait a few minutes, and respond appropriately (as led by the Holy Spirit, not the flesh).  Here’s a simple formula: Reacting = Arguing & Damage;  Responding = Peace & Healing. If that sounds too complicated, then just do this . . . KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!