Introduction: Many times I have opened my mouth when I should keep have kept it shut. Someone has said - It seems that the only time that I do not have my foot in my mouth is when I am changing feet.
Much is said in the Bible about what to say and when to say it.
James 1:19
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”
James 3:10-13
“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
It ought to be the desire of every child of God to ask the Lord to give us wisdom when we get ready to speak.
The times that we should not open your mouth is:
I. IN THE HEAT OF ANGER
Proverbs 14:17II. WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS
“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: …
Proverbs 18:13III. IF YOU HAVE NOT VERIFIED THE STORY
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Deuteronomy 17:6IV. IF YOUR WORDS WILL BE A POOR REFLECTION OF THE LORD OR YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY
“At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.”
1st Peter 2:21-23V. WHEN YOU ARE GETTING READY TO MAKE PROMISES TO GOD
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2VI. WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED TO JOKE ABOUT SIN
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
Proverbs 14:9VII. IF YOU WOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOUR WORDS LATER
“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”
Proverbs 8:8VIII. IF YOUR WORDS WOULD CONVEY A WRONG IMPRESSION
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.”
Proverbs 17:27IX. IF THE ISSUE IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”
1 Thess. 4:11X. WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED TO TELL AN OUTRIGHT LIE
“…study to be quiet and do your own business…”
1 Tim. 5:13 (SEE)
Colossians 3:9XI. IF YOUR WORDS WILL DAMAGE SOMEONE'S REPUTATION
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds”
Proverbs 8:7
“For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”
Ephesians 4:25
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
Proverbs 16:27XII. IF YOUR WORDS WOULD DESTROY A FRIENDSHIP
“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”
Proverbs 16:28XIII. WHEN YOU ARE FEELING CRITICAL
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
James 3:9XIV. IF YOU CAN NOT SPEAK WITHOUT YELLING
“Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”
Proverbs 25:28XVI. WHEN IT IS TIME TO LISTEN
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
Proverbs 13:1XV. IF YOU MAY HAVE TO EAT YOUR WORDS LATER
“A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
Proverbs 18:21XVI. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SAID IT MORE THAN ONE TIME
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 19:13XVII. WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED TO FLATTER A WICKED PERSON
“A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.”
Proverbs 24:24XVIII. WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING INSTEAD
“He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him”
Proverbs 14:2Conclusion: Let end this with some sound words from the Psalmist David.
“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”
Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”