Open Your Mouth or Shut It
Proverbs 15:28, The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
We could pretty much simply read that verse, drop the mic, and be on our way. In its simplest terms those verses are saying, Think before you open your mouth. However, there’s a bit more to it before you can actually do that consistently.
Let’s start with the heart. In Biblical terms, the heart is typically used as a metaphor as opposed to the actual physical heart.
The heart is the center of human emotion, thought, will, and moral character. It encompasses the inner life of a person, including feelings, desires, intellect, and decision-making processes. The heart is seen as the seat of wisdom and understanding, as well as the source of moral and spiritual life - Source: Strong’s Lexicon
In our verse for today, Proverbs 15:28, the Psalmist is tying wisdom and moral character to a righteous person. So, we need to understand what it means to be righteous? Someone who is righteous, from a New Testament Biblical perspective, is one who believes in God, has accepted the free gift of forgiveness, and is a follower of Christ. One who lives his/her life in obedience to Christ’s teachings. This goes beyond just being a Christian (one who has been forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross) and describes someone whose life exemplifies the greatest commandment, Love God, Love Others. A righteous person is someone who wants nothing more than for their life to glorify God in everything they do. It’s what this ministry, 1031 Life, is all about. The name and focus of 1031 Life is derived from 1 Corinthians 10:31,
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
When you are focused on Christ, when your life exemplifies the teachings of Christ, when you focus on loving God and Loving others, you can’t help but want to treat speak to speak to others with respect, kindness, and encouragement.
But there’s a caveat, we are humans, we are still sinners (albeit forgiven sinners), we still let our pride and ego get in the way, we still stumble, and we still need Christ every day to help us be more like him every day. Hence, today’s Scripture. The Bible is full of great advice, practices, warnings, etc. to help us be less like our old selves and more like our new selves which has a desire to be the best Ambassadors for Christ that we can be.
So, let’s put a bow around this lesson and commit to put into practice the 5 second rule. No, not the rule about picking food up off the floor, that’s the 3 seconds. Actually, that should be the zero second rule, if it hits the floor throw it away, have you thought about where the soles of your shoes have been? Sorry, back to the 5 second rule which says you should wait 5 seconds before responding, especially when in sensitive or heated discussions. Why, because if you don’t you will answer with your emotions and we all know how bad a plan that is. If you with 5 seconds (which will seem like an eternity), you give yourself an opportunity to think about what said and how you should respond without being emotional. It’s also a great negotiation tactic but that’s for a different venue.
Let me close by providing additional Scripture to bring this closer to home (this is just a short list of the many verses in the Bible about being slow to anger, taming the tongue, and using your words to encourage others).
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. - Proverbs 18:21
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. - James 1:26
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. - Proverbs 12:18
For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit - 1 Peter 3:10
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. - Proverbs 15:1
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. - Proverbs 15:4
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. - Proverbs 10:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger - James 1:19
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:14
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. - Proverbs 17:27
