"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom." - Proverbs 10:19-21
At a tea for officers and their wives, the commanding general of a base delivered a seemingly endless oration. A young lieutenant grumbled to the woman sitting beside him, “What a pompous and unbearable old windbag that slob is!”
The woman turned to him, her face red with rage. “Excuse me, Lieutenant. Do you have any idea who I am?”
“No ma’am,” the man fumbled.
“I am the wife of the man you just called an unbearable old windbag.”
“Oh,” said the lieutenant. “And do you have any idea who I am?”
“No,” said the general’s wife.
“Good” said the lieutenant, getting up from his seat and disappearing into the crowd.
We have all been in similar situations where our words got us into trouble! I remember in Sunday School we would sing "O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See." We would repeat with multiple other verses; little feet where you go; little hands what you do; little ears what you hear. When we would come to the mouth my teacher would stop and say, "Most of us even at this age don't have a little mouth!" We would sing "O be careful BIG mouth what you say!"
The Word of God reminds us how important our words are and what we say really does matter! Proverbs 10:19-21 gives us three important things to remember before we speak.
1. Limiting Our Speaking Is Wise (v.19)
2. Keeping Our Heart Pure Will Produce Valuable Speech (V.20)
3. We Can Only Speak Life-Giving Truth If We Have Received It Ourselves (v.21)
As we start a new day, why not determine that today will be a different kind of day! Wisdom is not found in excessive speech and blurting out constantly. Let us take the counsel of the Proverbs and a third grade Sunday School teacher who reminds us: "O Be Careful Big Mouth What You Say!"