It doesn’t matter what things in your life you need direction for, Solomon probably gives you some eternal principles in his book. It is there that I have often found direction and wisdom for the one area in my life I am constantly struggling with. For me it’s this little instrument called my mouth.

This has been my Achilles’ heel my whole life.  If there is one thing I can point to in my life that I have constantly battled, it is protecting others with my words and not tearing them down.  When I became a Christian in high school, I remember surveying my life and wondering what I need to give up or change in my lifestyle.  There was one thing that came back over and over and it was my mouth.  Our family happened to be very talented in the world of sarcasm and joking.  It was more of a gift than anything.

Sometimes it is a simple as a quick witted phrase here and there that stings, or it often is a complete foot-in-the-mouth whirlwind of words.  It doesn’t matter if you are loud, quiet, introverted, extroverted, gregarious or subdued—we all deal with the things that come out of our mouths.

Have you ever met anyone (or it may be you) who has completely ruined their lives or close to it, by something they have said? Dixie Chicks’ lead singer Natlalie Maines, radio talk show host Don Imus, or Democratic party presidential nominee John Kerry (“stuck in Iraq” anyone?) are just a few more notable blunders over the past few years.

This isn’t a new social problem.  Since we were given our mouths for communication we have had this dilemma. I believe that God used Solomon to give us an eternal principle to help us navigate through this and protect ourselves.

those who speak rashly will come to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3b

Rashly basically means…hasty, reckless, foolhardy and indiscreet.

Solomon isn’t using light language or small consequences for what will happen if we are reckless with our words.  This is coming from the wisest, most powerful man in the world at that time.  He was someone whose words carried tremendous power and weight.  He definitely knew that every word that came from his mouth could ruin him.  And I’m sure he had men and women who worked for him who had ruin their lives by speaking rashly.

I don’t think that God was surprised that we would struggle with our words.  It’s pretty clear throughout scripture that God understands how powerful our words can be and he gives us ample warnings.  Listen to these other verses in Proverbs alone.

The tongue has the power of life and death… Proverbs 18:21

Power of Life or Death!!!  Wow.  That’s strong language from the wisest man that ever lived.  Have you ever thought your words have the power of life and death?  Here is what is doesn’t say, “misused, reckless words are okay if you apologize.”  Or, “sarcasm isn’t that bad if everyone laughs.”

If you went to the doctor and they said to you that you have two options.  One option will keep life and the other option will take away life, which would you choose.  For some reason, Solomon uses that same language and maybe we should take notice of the powerful nature of the verses.

How about this passage:

Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death  is one who deceives a neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” – Proverbs 26:18-19

Now this passage is the one that hits me closest to home. This is truly a part of my personality.  The reason I know this is because so many times this is my first response. Unfortunately, my wife is the one who sees this the most.  It’s as simple as her asking me if I want to grocery store.  My first response might be, “Do I really have to?” with a hint of joking.  When I realize that isn’t what she wanted to hear or it hurts her feelings because she wants to spend time with me I throw out the courteous, “Just kidding!”

Really? Did I think I could do that without a major withdrawal? Does “just kidding” really cover up the words that just came out of my mouth.  It’s deception.  It’s a lie.  Just kidding doesn’t change that.  It goes into the ruining pile.

However, Solomon goes on to direct us how to live so we don’t use our words to ruin our lives.

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives … – Proverbs 13:3

Lives in the verse means more than our physical life.  I believe Solomon would say and I would agree that it is our influence, reputation, relationships, etc.

Solomon didn’t give us a simple warning like, “Be careful so you don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.”  Or “Make sure you say the right things.”  He uses very strong language that somehow your life can depend on your mouth.  As much time as we spend in our lives protecting our lives and trying to preserve them from anything and everything, why do we rarely think about our mouths?