Ooooooh, you in trouble. If you hadn’t said that, you probably wouldn’t be in trouble, but you said it. You’re in trouble. You might want to get some wisdom.
Today’s verse is kind of repetitive. But the truth is, it’s good to review things. The Bible repeats itself a lot, and I think it’s because we don’t listen the first time. We can be kind of hard headed. Our verse today talks about our tongue, our mouth, and getting ourselves in trouble. Proverbs 21:23 – “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” We need to guard our mouths and learn to be quiet at times. Just because you think it does not mean you need to say it. We have to be proactive in what we think and say, to put a guard or a key over our mouths.
Remember Proverbs 13:3? “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens his mouth wide comes to ruin.”
Proverbs 12:13 says, “An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escape from trouble.”
Proverbs 14:3 – “By the mouth of a fool comes the rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them”
We need to be careful when we speak.
I’m working on this in my own life, especially in meetings at church. I was just talking to the administrative pastor at my church about this. When we’re in meetings, I could probably say something about everything. Does it all need to be said? No. And I know that. So I have to be careful what I say, and choose when I need to speak up, and when I should stay quiet. I don’t always have to say what’s on my mind.
My father-in-law often tells his wife, “I should get credit for what I didn’t say.” I like that! I could have said something, but I kept my mouth closed so I wouldn’t get myself into trouble. Now, I know that’s not the perfect mindset to have; I don’t need credit for having the self-control to not say something I shouldn’t, but it’s a sign that I’m growing, because I kept my mouth shut.
I grew up as a very impulsive teenager. If I wanted to say or do something, I did. But our verse today warns against that. If you struggle with this like I do, read the Proverbs and get some wisdom: “Whoever keeps his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble,” (Proverbs 21:23).