"Be Not Rash With Thy Mouth"
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 12:48
Brian Yeager
Too many people are fast to open their mouths to speak, yet slow to think about what to say. People do not consider the consequences that our words often have. For one, everything we say is before God and that is the first consideration we must always have. Solomon, through the inspiration of God, said: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).
Have you considered that you are accountable to God for every single word that you speak? This is what Jesus said: “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:35-37). For us as Christians, if we focused more on God’s word we wouldn’t have to worry about our speech as often. You see, every word of God is pure (Proverbs 30:5) and we are supposed to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). Wouldn’t the Judgment Day be a much more pleasant thought if we simply parroted the actions and words we see in the inspired word of God (Romans 14:11-12; cf. John 12:48)?
Have you considered how important controlling our tongue is? James said: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body… And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:2, 6). Self control is mastered when we can control what we say. Therefore, maybe we should spend more time listening and thinking, than we do blurting out words that are not based in sound reasoning or fact.
Again, if we consult the book of James, we find something very worthy of our attention on this subject matter (not that one Scripture is any better than another). James said: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). How quick are we to listen? Some people cannot wait for you to finish speaking before they have to say something themselves. There is a caution to us when we consider speaking many words: “In the multitude of words there wanteth [lacks; B.A.Y.] not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
We learn of righteousness through the word of God (Romans 1:16-17). If we’d spend more time reasoning from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2) and thus understanding righteousness, we’ll speak forth righteous words (Proverbs 10:31-32; Proverbs 16:1). However, there are those fools who have no idea what they are talking about (Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 15:2). If you’re ignorant about something, listen to the advice of God before speaking about it: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28). Many speak of God and truth, but know little to nothing about those things they speak. Then, these foolish individuals are often too proud to remain silent.
Instead of remaining silent, some have to tell everything about everything. They’ve been everywhere, have seen all things, have been through all illnesses, have felt your pain, have suffered all things spiritually, and they are modern wise men or women on all else. You’ve met these men and women. You know they are walking dictionaries and encyclopedias in their own minds (walking contradictions in reality). Oh, and remember that they are never wrong, even when proven such (Proverbs 23:9). We read of these types in inspiration: “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them” (Proverbs 14:3). Most of these individuals have a whole lot to say about nothing. In their many words they never contribute an ounce toward worthy discussion (Proverbs 15:7; Proverbs 17:7). Yes, they do have an audience all too often. Consider who makes up the audience of foolish talkers: “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness” (Proverbs 15:14). These foolish, proud, and big-mouthed individuals often empty their minds through their mouths (Proverbs 29:11).
How about those who are too proud to admit they don’t know the details so they make them up as they go? Have you heard those types speak? If we say something that is not accurate, isn’t that a lie? Well, those that speak lies are to perish (Proverbs 19:9 and Revelation 21:8). So, shouldn’t we make sure that the things we repeat are true and that the details we give are accurate? How can we add our own details to anyone’s words and not be liars (Proverbs 30:6)? Folks, false reports are often spread and they grow (Matthew 28:12-15). The slightest error in our words about a person or situation can spread to do great, unforeseen harm. Besides that, remember that every word we speak will be brought into Judgment. Let’s not allow pride to keep our mouths running when our minds are falling behind. Many times, silence is a good thing (Proverbs 13:3).
Whether we are hearing the words of God or the words of men, we need to be listeners. When we do not know what we are talking about, silence is the best policy. There is a time to speak as well as a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Since God is the witness and judge of all that we say, those times of speech must be careful (Titus 2:7-8).
In conclusion, let’s consider these words: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof… Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 21:23).
