Verse of the Day 4/3
Proverbs 13:3Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. English Standard Version (ESV)
Today's verse was part of my morning daily devotional reading in Proverbs. It is normally 1 or 2 verses a day which allows me time to think about the verses. As I read them I was reminded again of how practical the words of this book is, thousands of years after being written. You may recall when you were a child having a parent or grandparent telling you to "watch your mouth" if you said something that you shouldn't have. Unfortunately, as we grew older we became more independent in our speech. If we didn't learn to watch or guard our mouth and what passes through our lips we tend to let things fly without much thought or much regard for the possible consequences.
As is often the case reading words like this causes me to compare them to what we see in the media and from politicians. There is very little "guarding" going on. Sometimes words fly out unfiltered and other times they are well thought out but, nonetheless, should not be spoken. There is way too much "spin" going on, statements made to twist and turn the truth to the point where it is hard to determine truth from falsehood. It should not be so with us.
The other thing that caught my attention was that in my study Bible, there were no additional comments on the verse. There is no need for them, it is straightforward as could be. So it should be with our words, if we guard our mouth we will preserve "life", build trust, build bridges and promote peace.
Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.
A good person hates false talk;
a bad person wallows in gibberish. Proverbs 13:3,5 The Message
May we take these words to heart and apply them in our life.
wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty
teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Proverbs 13:1-6The Message (MSG)
Walk with the Wise
13 Intelligent children listen to their parents;
foolish children do their own thing.
2 The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation;
bullies push and shove their way through life.
3 Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.
4 Indolence wants it all and gets nothing;
the energetic have something to show for their lives.
5 A good person hates false talk;
a bad person wallows in gibberish.
6 A God-loyal life keeps you on track;
sin dumps the wicked in the ditch.
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