“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.”
During my prayer to become a Christian, I did at least two things: (1) I cried out for God to help, and (2) I acknowledged Jesus as my Lord & Savior. This was a cry of faith.
I say this to say: the wisdom in this Proverb is not found in not speaking at all. But knowing when to speak, what to speak, and to be in control of your tongue.
When I speak . . . by crying out to God, asking for His Mercy & Guidance, my speech is correct.
God wants His children to communicate to Him. In fact the Bible says: God’s Will for our lives is to Rejoice, Pray, and give Thanks continually.
However, when I boast. My speech is incorrect.
When I brag in myself, my speech is incorrect.
When I condemn others, my speech is incorrect.
In those instances, I act the same as a fool.
I have to be careful not to grumble or complain. To be gracious in my speech. To lift others up around me. To have discernment about when NOT to speak. To stay silent. To let God do the work. To let God defend Himself. To let God defend my family & loved ones. To let God defend me.
“The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.”
“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove Him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him off the cliff. But He walked right through the crowd and went on His way. Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He taught the people.”
Jesus demonstrates there is a time to speak up and a time to stay silent.
Inciting a mob of fools into anger is unwise.
Live to fight another day.
“He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”
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