Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Summary: The words we say have consequences. Restricting the number of words we speak can be a way of limiting the consequences.
What jumps out at you when you read this verse? Is it the phrase, “speak[ing] rashly?” That is what I am curious about. “Guard[ing] lips” is a phrase that makes sense to me, but speaking rashly must mean something specific. To find out, I went to my Bible references.
It turns out that the original text says something different. The NIV is the only English version that uses the adverb “rashly.” The other forty-odd translations are more direct in how they translate the original text. The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is typical of all of them and says, “he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
Why is this important?
To speak “rashly” is a certain kind of talk while “opens wide the lips” refers to all kinds of talk. Rash words are the kind that you say and then later, when you reflect on them, think “I shouldn’t have said that.” Of course, not everyone reflects on their words! Rash words are the kind that end friendships and ruin business deals.
But what about all the other words people might say? What about the kind words or the malicious ones? What about mindless words that people say or the endless babbling that some do?
There is a sense in the original text that guarding our lips means thinking about everything we might say before we say it. In cultures with an authoritarian style of government and few rights for the governed, ‘speaking your mind’ can trigger harsh consequences. Even in our country, with our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, some people do everything they can to “cancel” those who disagree with them.
So is it wise to say whatever comes to mind just because we can?
Solomon would say, “No!” There are consequences for our words. Words have meanings and people can take what we say seriously, even if we don’t. The results of our words can have a devastating impact on our lives. Careers and marriages can be damaged or even destroyed.
Guarding our lips might sound trite, but it is excellent advice.
Application: Pay attention to the words that come out of your mouth. Maybe record yourself having a conversation with someone. Are your lips guarded or wide open?
Food for Thought: How does a person guard what they say? Do the techniques we use change depending on the situation?
How does a person guard what they say?
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to get angry and let every word be drenched in grace, and be tempered in truth and clarity. (James 1-19 & Colossians 4:6)
Just remembering that before I speak already helps me guard my words!
Do the techniques we use change depending on the situation?
At its basic level, I don’t believe our approach should change. As humans it is hard not to though because our emotions tend to come into it. It is important to remember to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and clarity.
Thanks Chris!
This is one of those answers that sounds “simple” but is in fact, very hard to implement. I appreciate your thoughts on this.
Good reminder!
08-01-2022, Proverbs 13:3, How does a person guard what they say?
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:17
Accept Who You Are In Jesus By Identifying With Him. We are slaves, to who, or what we serve. Romans 6:16
Be aware of sinful patterns, Don’t even think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14
Control our flesh and direct it to serve God. If our hands, feet, mind and flesh are busy for God, there is no time to sin. Romans 6:13
Live as Jesus lived practicing spiritual disciplines. Prayer, bible studies, fellowship with believers, service, fasting, solitude, silence, worship. Romans 8:2
Do the techniques we use change depending on the situation?
I speak to a child differently than an adult, there are times to express disagreement with silence, possibly physically separating yourself, or asking questions. Yes the way we communicate with others changes with the person or situation.
Ron,
Your comment about being “slaves, to who, or what we serve” really jumps out at me. In the context of today’s meditation it suggests that unguarded lips can easily end up serving the Enemy.
Absolutely Jeff! It’s critical we who have been given the power of the Holy Spirit, allow Him to minister through us.
Good devotion brother. And good comments.
James famously speaks to the danger of the tongue (which reveals the heart) in James 3: 1 – 12. In that passage we see what we are up against. Our tongue can be a deadly evil unleashing terrible poison. We should treat it as such. As Chris pointed out – James also gives solid advice in chapter 1: 19 – 20. I personally think Proverbs 4: 23 also applies.
Proverbs 4:23 —
“Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.”
Great point, Rich!
We cannot know the heart of someone else as God does, but we can see the fruit of what is in the heart in a person’s words.
I believe the last few verses from Solomon are related. Therefore I’m still going to agree with those comments before me.
Which verses you looking at T??
The first 3 verses of Proverbs 13 all seem to be focused around the mouth.
Scoffer, fruit of the mouth, guarded, opened wide, craving. They are about what comes out and the consequences of that. Remembering that in the New testament it is said that what comes out of the mouth reveals what is in the heart and is the reason one is made unclean, you can see this is more than just word choice.
Accepting rebuke means either respectful speech or nothing is coming out of your mouth when you are corrected. Not excuses, and certainly not scoffing. If your heart ‘condition’ is right you will accept correction.
The second verse compares the fruit of a righteous man’s mouth and the desire of a treacherous man. But you must realize the fruit of a righteous man’s mouth will be good because he doesn’t desire violence, he desires God and his laws. A treacherous man cannot have good fruit coming out of his mouth because even if he says the right words, will lack sincerity since his desires are not good and will not benefit the hearer.
Now today’s verse isn’t about right or wrong, good or bad. No matter your heart condition, guarding what comes out of your mouth is integral to a long healthy life. True, honest, and good things at the wrong time, to the wrong person, out of context, will not benefit anyone. Therefore it is in line with a righteous person’s heart desire, of godliness and love, to hold their tongue and wait for the right time. Now from a wicked perspective, it is imperative to not say the wrong thing to the wrong person. Their goal is to manipulate, con, and get from others. But if they play their hand at the wrong time, or let their intentions be seen, then it’s game over.
Now as to the question of techniques…. No matter what it will end up being some variation of think before acting.
Amen