Proverb for the Day 21:23 — Deliver Me From Myself!

Once again, our words are front and center in Proverbs. This wise saying tells us the benefit of watching what we say.

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues” are people who have been able to “post a guard in front of their faces” that will prohibit stupid words from proceeding out of their mouths!

Of course, this guard can’t be external, it has to be internal. That starts with us thinking more appropriately and then making better decisions.

All who do this will “keep themselves from calamity.” That guard posted at my mouth will also “keep/guard” (same Hebrew word) uncomfortable circumstances away from my soul.

But who among us has not found ourselves in unfavorable situations because of our words?

In class at Helping Up Mission, I ask guys if their words ever got them beat up, shot or stabbed. Typically one-fourth to one-third of the class put their hands up!

Then I ask how many every got arrested because of their mouths…even more hands go up!

How many lost jobs because of things they said? Most respond in the affirmative!

How many messed up a really meaningful relationship because of words? Everyone!

Our words are killing us!

But we can stop the madness. It starts with how we think…which will affect how we feel…which will impact what we say and how we act!

It works…if we work it!