Proverbs 10:19 NIV
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Has your tongue ever gotten you in trouble? Can you remember a time when you, or someone you know, only made matters worse by continuing to talk? As a Christian, it is important to be careful what you say. In James 3 it reads: “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” It seems that the more we allow our mouths to open, the more opportunity there is for wrong. It takes great discipline to learn when not to speak. At times of anger, jealousy, and other weak circumstances, we can easily say whatever we feel like saying, and often sin in doing so. I have noticed in my own life that if I speak whenever a thought comes into my mind, not everything that comes out is godly or appropriate. Less speaking and more listening (to others and to the Spirit) is necessary in the Christian walk.
Be encouraged to practice the discipline of silence on a daily basis. That is not to say don’t speak at all. Be prayerful and use wisdom regarding what you will say before you allow your mouth to open. Don’t just let your tongue burn uncontrollably, saying whatever you feel like saying. Being selective about what you will say will guard your heart and improve your relationships with others and the Lord.
