Scripture Reference: Pro 14:3 - Eph 4:29-32 - Col 3:18 - Ps 141:3
“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them” Proverbs 14:3
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4:29-32
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” Colossians 3:18
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” Psalm 141:3
Tonight’s devotional is a subject of the utmost importance to everyone who names the name of Christ. I must have looked at a hundred quotes on the power of the tongue, including the most brilliant preachers and theologians of today and yesteryear. The one I chose didn’t come from where I expected. Let me explain.
There are times when I feel like I’m my own worst enemy. Two areas come quickly to my mind. Sometimes, I trust in my own ability and do not trust the Lord to be the strong arm on which I rely. There are also times when my mouth gets me in trouble. Recently, I read a small clip in the Puritan press that caught my attention. It was from some unknown preacher of the Puritan era. It read, “Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.” I could definitely relate to that simple line. I now frequently use this ‘little saying’ as a prayer.
Since we all have a mouth, we need to pay attention to Solomon’s counsel in Proverbs 14. Our use of words tells everyone around us a little about our character. I grew up hearing the phrase “He talks like a truck driver,” which is probably an unfair description as not all truck drivers have a nasty mouth. In more recent days, we talk about someone that has a “potty mouth.” I’m obviously only speaking about those who claim to profess faith in Christ.
There is a good probability that if the people you hang around regularly use filthy language, after a while, you will end up doing the same. A verse I often use in my work with prisoners is Proverbs 13:20. “He that walks with wise men shall become wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed.”
Is it hard to understand that whatever you eat enters the stomach only to pass out into the sewer? But what comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. Words can pollute, not food. As God gives His children wisdom, that includes having a sanctified mouth.
Is your speech mostly arrogant or gracious? Do you have the wisdom to think before words come out of your mouth, and have you learned to sanctity your speech? All speech falls somewhere between these two extremes. Where does your speech fall? Does your speech tend toward being gracious and kind at all times? Or does it tend toward being ugly, arrogant and hurtful at times?
Here is one of the problems – you are not a good judge of your speech. Only others can accurately tell whether you are haughty or kind in your words. All men want to justify the way they speak, but it is the hearers that feel either irritated or blessed by your words.
There are consequences to pay for your speech. Harsh and proud speech brings punishment and trouble from God and men; discreet and gracious speech brings blessing and safety from God and men. Can you rule your mouth to protect yourself from trouble?
How you use your tongue, one of the most difficult things to rule, dictates how you are treated in life. Both death and life are in the power of the tongue, and if you indulge yourself in talking, you will realize one or the other result (Pr 18:21). Solomon warned often about the consequences of speech (Pr 10:20,31; 15:2; 21:23; 26:28; Eccl 10:12-14).
People who don’t care what other people think will utter whatever words they want. Ugly course speech is habitual and comes natural if that is your common practice. During my weekly prison visits, there are several prisons where as I’m walking to the visiting room, I have a lengthy walk where the prison yard is right next to me. It takes me quite a while to walk down that long sidewalk. Within seconds you can hear “F bombs” being dropped everywhere. This may be what you would expect with a bunch of pagan prisoners, but honestly, it’s everywhere you go.
Your speech, how you use your words is just one way of displaying christian character. There is no reason to have a filthy mouth, and don’t you find it a joy to be around godly brothers and sisters in Christ, whose every word is a delight to your soul.
Only at tiny fraction of my incarcerated brethren have what I would call a problem with their speech. I’m certainly not their judge, but I am their friend and brother in Christ. On rare occasions, I’ll pull a brother aside and have a little talk about his speech, letting him know that as Christians, we don’t need to talk as the world does.
Remember the phrase “What would Jesus do? How appropriate. Can you picture our Savior back in his day with a coarse mouth, spewing out nasty words. He certainly used some strong language with respect to the Pharisees and Sadducees, but it was appropriate language and necessary language for the moment. We should be imitators of Christ, using our words, always seasoned with salt, that they may impart grace to the hearers.
Learning to amputate a potty mouth from your vocabulary can be difficult to do, just like many other behavior changes we need to make; but it can be done if you will make a commitment and seek help and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
What is this rod of pride in the mouths of fools that Solomon speaks of in our Proverb today, (14:)? It is a metaphor describing how the proud speech of a fool hurts others and himself. His tongue becomes a weapon for pain (Job 5:21; Jas 3:9-12). A fool cannot control his proud speech, and it causes others and him grief wherever he goes (Pr 12:18; 13:10; 14:16; 18:6-7,21; 21:24; 28:25; 29:20).
But a wise man is preserved and honored by his tongue. He uses speech for the good of others, and they love him for it (Pr 15:4,23; 24:26; 25:11-12). His gracious and kind words win the blessing and favor of others (Pr 11:16; 22:11; 31:26). He preserves his soul from much grief by wisely dealing with those around him (Pr 6:1-5; 12:13; 15:1; 18:7).
When a fool talks proudly with his mouth, the pride in his words causes others to dislike and resent him. He loses friends and relationships, but in his ignorance does not know why. When a wise man graciously and humbly denigrates himself to advance others, they respond with affection and appreciation. Such a man gains in friends and honor.
Do you know where your speech falls between arrogance and grace? Since your heart is deceitful above all things, you are a poor judge (Jer 17:9; Ps 19:12). Since men are prone to excuse their own faults, you must accept the judgment of others. Do others think you are biting, harsh, proud, or sarcastic? Or do others think you are gentle, kind, edifying, or meek? You must crush even the smell of pride in your heart to have acceptable speech (Pr 16:5).
The word of God is plain here. Corrupt speech is to be replaced with gracious and edifying speech (Eph 4:29). Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice are to be replaced with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (Eph 4:31-32). Your speech is to always be gracious, allowing room for only a little salty seasoning (Col 4:6).
The Lord Jesus Christ spoke with the purest grace ever (Ps 45:2; Luke 4:22). Even officers sent by the Jews to apprehend Him could not believe His excellent speech (John 7:45-46). The wisdom from heaven is distinctly different from the wisdom of hell, and both kinds are evidenced in the heart attitude and speech of men (Jas 3:14-18). Let the wisdom of this proverb dramatically turn your speech today from pride to graciousness.
A Prayer For God To Sanctify Our Speech
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
-Psalm 141:3
I remember a playground chant from my elementary school days: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What a lie! Thankfully, I don’t have any experience with sticks and stones. However, I know many who have suffered broken bones in their life and they definitely do hurt.
“Words will never hurt me.” Sadly, many have even taken their life after unbearable words were spoken to them. Sorry But Words can be extremely painful. Those words often quickly take deep root inside our hearts as we pretend to be tough. Those words label us. Those words limit us. The pain of those words often lingers, causing more harm than we even realize. Those words cripple us from living the life that the Lord has for us.
As Christians, we need the Lord's help with the words that come out of our mouths. Words have so much power in our lives and in the lives of those around us. The words that we speak can build up or tear down.
It says in Proverbs 18:21 that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” It absolutely matters what we say, not only to ourselves, but to others. The most important thing that we can do is to make sure that we pray every day that God will guard our words and be honored in our conversations. Preparing our hearts and our thoughts before we talk with others will help us to be more cautious about the words that cross our lips.
Final thought
The psalmist’s prayer in chapter 143 is applicable to all of us. We are not always very careful of the words that come out of our mouths. Or the words we post in a text message or email, on Facebook, or other social media platforms. How often do we wish we could retrieve our words and undo the damage they have caused? Damage to others. Damage to ourselves and our reputation. And damage to our witness for the Lord.
How much better to guard our speech and prevent those damaging words in the first place? To practice the expression “Engage brain before putting mouth in gear.” To think about our words before they come out of our mouths. Are those words going to be something I will regret? Are they helpful to those who are listening to me (Ephesians 4:29)?
The psalmist prayed for God’s help in controlling his speech. He could not do it alone. Likewise, I need help controlling what I say. I am not much of a talker. But even still, all too often, I find that I have responded to someone else in a way that I later regret, wishing I had spent a bit more time in prayer and thought before my hasty response
O Lord, we come to you this night with humble hearts, asking for more wisdom aND grace with respect to every word that comes from our mouth. Give us a greater awareness of the harm and hurt that come from unsanctified words. May we be quick to listen and slow to speak. As we speak the truth to others, may it be done in love, always seasoned with grace. Forgive us Father, particularly us husbands for the times we have spoken to our wives in haste, giving offense with unking and unruly words. May our tongue be used always for your honor and glory. For Christ’s sake...Amen
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith & Life Journal: By Gregg Harris
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