◄ Proverbs 13:3 ►
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
Study Bible
He who guards his mouth protects his life
This phrase emphasizes the importance of self-control and wisdom in speech. In biblical context, the mouth often symbolizes one's words and the power they hold. Proverbs frequently highlights the significance of wise speech (Proverbs 10:19, 21:23). The idea of "guarding" suggests vigilance and intentionality, akin to a watchman protecting a city. In ancient Israel, cities were fortified with walls and gates, and guards were crucial for protection. Similarly, guarding one's words can prevent personal and relational harm. The concept of life here extends beyond physical existence to include spiritual and emotional well-being, aligning with the biblical principle that words can bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21).

but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin
This part of the verse warns against reckless or excessive speech. In the cultural context of the Bible, speech was a primary means of communication and influence, and thus carried significant weight. The phrase "opens his lips" implies speaking without restraint or consideration, which can lead to negative consequences. The term "ruin" suggests destruction or downfall, which can be both personal and communal. This aligns with James 3:5-6, where the tongue is described as a small part of the body that can cause great harm, like a spark that sets a forest ablaze. The warning here is a call to wisdom, urging individuals to consider the impact of their words and to seek guidance from God in their speech, reflecting the character of Christ, who spoke with authority and grace (Luke 4:22).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom.

2. Israel
- The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed, providing guidance for living a life pleasing to God.

3. The Wise and the Foolish
- Throughout Proverbs, these two archetypes are used to contrast those who live according to God's wisdom and those who do not.
Teaching Points
Guarding Speech as a Form of Wisdom
The Hebrew word for "guards" (shamar) implies careful watching and protecting. Just as a guard watches over a city, we must vigilantly watch over our words.

The Consequences of Uncontrolled Speech
The phrase "invites his own ruin" suggests that reckless words can lead to personal destruction. This highlights the importance of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Speech Reflects the Heart
Our words are a reflection of our inner character. By guarding our speech, we demonstrate a heart aligned with God's wisdom.

Practical Steps to Guarding Our Mouths
Engage in regular self-reflection and prayer, asking God to help you control your tongue.

Practice active listening, ensuring you understand before responding.

Memorize and meditate on scriptures that emphasize the importance of wise speech.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of guarding one's mouth relate to the broader theme of wisdom in the book of Proverbs?

2. In what ways can our words protect or harm our relationships with others?

3. Reflect on a time when your words either protected or harmed you. What did you learn from that experience?

4. How can the teachings of James 3:2-12 help us understand the importance of controlling our speech?

5. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure your words align with the wisdom found in Proverbs 13:3?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 3:2-12
- This passage discusses the power of the tongue and the importance of controlling it, echoing the wisdom of guarding one's mouth.

Matthew 12:36-37
- Jesus teaches about the accountability of our words, reinforcing the idea that what we say can lead to either justification or condemnation.

Ephesians 4:29
- Paul advises believers to speak only what is helpful for building others up, aligning with the principle of guarding one's speech.
Sermons
The Wisdom of Docility, Etc.: a Sermon to the YoungW. Clarkson Proverbs 13:1, 13, 18
A Guard Upon the LipsProverbs 13:2-3
Man SpeakingD. Thomas, D.D.Proverbs 13:2-3
Natural RetaliationR. Wardlaw.Proverbs 13:2-3
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Destruction, Guardeth, Guards, Keepeth, Keeping, Keeps, Lips, Mouth, Open, Openeth, Opening, Opens, Preserves, Rashly, Ruin, Soul, Speaks, Watch, Wide
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 13:3

     5330   guard
     5547   speech, power of
     5925   rashness
     5934   restraint
     8493   watchfulness, believers

Proverbs 13:2-3

     5164   lips

Library
The Tillage of the Poor
'Much food is in the tillage of the poor.'--PROVERBS xiii. 23. Palestine was a land of small peasant proprietors, and the institution of the Jubilee was intended to prevent the acquisition of large estates by any Israelite. The consequence, as intended, was a level of modest prosperity. It was 'the tillage of the poor,' the careful, diligent husbandry of the man who had only a little patch of land to look after, that filled the storehouses of the Holy Land. Hence the proverb of our text arose. It …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor
'There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'--PROVERBS xiii. 7. Two singularly-contrasted characters are set in opposition here. One, that of a man who lives like a millionaire and is a pauper; another, that of a man who lives like a pauper and is rich. The latter character, that of a man who hides and hoards his wealth, was, perhaps, more common in the days when this collection of Proverbs was put together, because in all ill-governed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Practical Methods of Studying the Old Testament
[Sidenote: The various methods of approach] The Old Testament may be studied as literature, as history, as the record of an important stage in the evolution of religion, as the revelation of God to the race, or as a practical aid to the individual in living the true life. Each angle of approach calls for different methods and yields its correspondingly rich results. Studied in accordance with the canons of modern literary investigation, a literature is disclosed of surpassing variety, beauty, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Song of the Redeemed
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... T he extent, variety, and order of the creation, proclaim the glory of God. He is likewise, ^* Maximus in Minimis . The smallest of the works, that we are capable of examining, such for instance as the eye or the wing of a little insect, the creature of a day, are stamped with an inimitable impression of His wisdom and power. Thus in His written Word, there …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory Not," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. It is a common evil of those who hear the gospel, that they are not delivered up to the mould and frame of religion that is holden out in it, but rather bring religion into a mould of their own invention. It was the special commendation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered, (Rom. vi. 17) that they who were once servants, or slaves of sin, had now …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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