Everyday the news headlines highlight the declining state of our world. Uncertainty, discontent and chaos seem to rule the day in every area of life…our homes, communities, government and even the entire world. If ever there was a time when we needed to understand life and find a means to navigate through it wisely, it is now. We need an anchor to steady our course and provide stability in an increasingly unstable world.
That anchor, that stability, is provided in the book of Proverbs. Every aspect of human behavior is covered in Proverbs. The short verses can sometimes seem mysterious, but if we take a little time mediate on them, the application to our lives will become obvious and we will realize just how strong of an anchor they really are.
Everyday we will post a Proverb with an application. Over time, you’ll discover one that speaks directly to your situation and provide you with the guidance you were looking for and desperately needed. When this happens over and over again, you’ll eventually wonder, “What else does the Bible have to offer?”. And this will start you on a journey that will change the course of your life.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
This is short, to the point and obvious, but how often we fail to follow it. Everyday you can find a headline where some politician or leader says something that he or she later regrets. Everyday there’s a husband who says something to his wife that damages their relationship. Everyday there’s a father who says something to his child that will have a detrimental effect that will last for decades.
But this scripture gives us a way out; a way to keep us from doing damage to ourselves and others…just keep our words to ourselves…think before we speak.
There’s a line of thinking that goes something like this:
“Well, I just spoke the truth. If they can’t handle, that’s their problem.”
Well…yes and no. The goal in communicating is share information, a thought, a feeling, a fact…with some end goal…increased understanding, reconciliation, a call to action, etc.; usually something good. If you “speak the truth”, and its not received because it was the stated in the wrong way, at the wrong time, to the wrong person, what have you accomplished? Often more trouble, especially when our words are “dripping” with emotions. We can make a mess everywhere.
Be wise and think through the consequences before you speak.
Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife, but [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
Pride is: “All about me. I got this. I can handle this on my own. I know all I need to know.”
It’s really a pumping up of the ego. Any advice from an outside source is perceived as a threat to the ego, as opposed to information about a situation from another perspective that can help you be more objective.
And if the ego feels attacked, it attacks back (thus quarrels and strife).
But the wise see out and welcome godly advice. They look for more information so they can make the best decision. They are more concerned about achieving a certain goal than feeding the ego.
A fools lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.
The Bible is full of warnings about our words. They can bring good things to our lives or bad. That’s why wisdom is so important. It instructs us on what to speak, when to speak, how to speak or whether to speak at all.
100 Days To A Better Life Through Proverbs 
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