[The Mayor]

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Mouth Guard

November 2, 2011

I was walking in a subway in Minsk, Belarus, with my friend Yuliya and her daughter Anastasia when I suddenly fell face first onto the dirty concrete floor. I don’t remember the fall, but I do remember suddenly having a mouth filled with sand, gravel, and grit. Ugh! I couldn’t get that stuff out of my mouth quickly enough!

I didn’t enjoy what went into my mouth on that embarrassing occasion. But Scripture teaches that it’s more important to guard what comes out of our mouths. When the writer of Proverbs 15 said that “the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness” (v.2), the word translated pours forth literally means “explodes out.” Rash accusations, angry words, and verbal abuse can do immeasurable and lifelong harm. The apostle Paul spoke bluntly about this: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29)—no dirty talk. He also said to “[put] away lying” and to “speak truth” (v.25)—no lies. And later, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you” (v.31)—no character assassination. What comes out of our mouths should be wholesome and uplifting.

We guard carefully what goes into our mouths—and rightly so. To honor God, let’s also keep tight control on the words that come out of our mouths.

Lord, help us to control our tongues,
To clean up what we say,
To use words that will edify,
To honor You today. —Sper

Be careful of your thoughts—they may become words at any time.

Read: Proverbs 15:1-7

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. —Proverbs 15:2

Bible in a year:
Jeremiah 27-29; Titus 3

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Lord, help us to control our tongues,
To clean up what we say,
To use words that will edify,
To honor You today. —Sper

Be careful of your thoughts—they may become words at any time.

Read: Proverbs 15:1-7”

After having committed this sin some.....oh....406,667 times, I have finally learned to think before I speak. Better late than never : )

[JustAmy]

Lord, help us to control our tongues,
To clean up what we say,
To use words that will edify,
To honor You today. —Sper

Good morning, Mayor.
Thank you for sharing that excellent advice this morning.

We alway appreciate the wisdom of ODB.

Wishing you a beautiful Fall Day.

[geologist]

Gossip or the keenly sharp turn of ridicule toward anyone can hurt and do damage untold. It is so common as to be the usual. Still it tears down, or impugns another character or actions.

Holy One of Israel, forgive us, and help us to stop mid word when we begin to say hurtful or negative things, when we truly do not know the circumstances and we are simply giving a negative opinion. Thoughts are either to inform, build up, tear down, sooth and pass information. Let us beware of bad habits, back biting, or other negative emotions arising from envy, pride, jealousy, greed, or other others hurtful words regarding our self.

Father, let us daily pray for our enemies. They are captured by erroneous thinking. May Jesus live in our heart. Amen.

They know not what they do.