How can we "guard our mouths" to preserve our lives daily? The Divine Warning in Proverbs 13:3 “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Why Words Are Life-Preservers • Words reveal what fills the heart (Luke 6:45). • Spoken recklessly, they ignite destruction (James 3:5-6). • Spoken wisely, they refresh and heal (Proverbs 12:18; 16:24). Guarding the mouth, therefore, becomes a daily means God uses to protect both our physical safety and spiritual welfare. Practical Ways to Guard the Mouth • Pause before speaking: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). • Filter every thought through Scripture: let God’s Word be the gatekeeper (Psalm 119:11). • Choose silence over needless commentary—silence is often wisdom (Proverbs 17:27-28). • Speak only what builds up: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up” (Ephesians 4:29). • Refuse gossip and slander: “Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence” (Psalm 101:5). • Practice daily confession and repentance for careless words (1 John 1:9), allowing the Spirit to recalibrate the tongue. • Memorize key verses (Proverbs 15:1; 21:23) and rehearse them internally before conversations. Scriptural Reinforcement • Proverbs 21:23 — “He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble.” • Matthew 12:36-37 — “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” • Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” • Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Daily Checkpoints for the Tongue 1. Morning commitment: ask, “Will my words honor Christ today?” 2. Midday review: assess any spoken words that need correction. 3. Evening accountability: recount conversations and make restitution where necessary. Guarding the mouth is a conscious, Spirit-enabled discipline. By submitting every word to Scripture and choosing speech that edifies, we preserve our lives, reflect Christ’s character, and enjoy the blessings promised in Proverbs 13:3. |
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