Tripping Over Words

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:  but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 13:3

I read this verse the other day and the first thought that came to my mind was, "Open mouth, insert foot!"

We've all been there, haven't we?  We said something that should not have been said, and you stand there in utter embarrassment facing the person you just offended.  You try to laugh off the faux pax, but all you want to do is crawl under a rock.

James gives us another admonition in James 1:19. He tells us, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"

Interesting verse because James is reminding the 'beloved brethren.'  Isn't it sad that this had to be said?  Shouldn't we as brethren already practice ready listening, few words, and love?  And yet, James had to remind the believers how to treat one another.

I was reminded that we as believer's often yield to our feelings and our flesh rather than yielding to the Holy Spirit of God.

According to Webster, Wrath means strong, vengeful anger.

To have to be reminded NOT to allow this to happen when conversing with other brothers and sisters in Christ is very telling.  

Pride is the root of such behavior.

There is an Amish Proverb that goes, "It is better to give others a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind."

When I speak, I want to speak slowly enough to remember that God is one of my listeners!

    But that's just me!

"Better to let them wonder why you didn't speak, that to wonder why you did."  Anonymous

"The testimony of the lips indicates the state of the heart."  Harry Ironside