Can One Hide Behind Their Lips?

"Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him". (Eph. 4:29).  "He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the King is his friend." (Pro. 22:11).

Hey Gang, As I watched the debates the question entered my mind, "Can we hide behind our lips?"  It was reported that in the course of the debate there were more than ten mis-statements, and a number of down- right lies.

I got the sense that both parties were searching their memory banks seeking a statement that would get them off the hook. Did you ever talk to someone that you knew was not hearing a word you said, but rather was digging through their computer banks seeking a rebuttal to what you were saying?

  

Are there any Rooster Cogburn fans out there?  Rooster had two very serious problems: one was that he liked to take frequent nips on his jug which led to his second problem - the booze released the control mechanism on his tongue.   Once, when he was unusually boisterous, his traveling companion, Kathryn Hepburn clipped his wings with the old adage: "A wise old owl lived in an Oak; the more he saw the less he spoke:  the less he spoke the more he heard. Why can't we be like that wise old bird?"

The Amish have a saying: "Swallowing words before you say them is much better than to having to eat them after you say them".  A lesson I had to learn. 

The Dutch say the same thing only a different way: "It is best to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt".  

In the recent debate between the one who is in, and the one who wants to get in, it was clear that the one who is in was doing all in his power to prevent the one who wants to get in, from speaking so he could do what he does, oh so well - hide behind his lips. 

 Do you think that is what Solomon meant here? "The lips of a fool consume him".

Jesus gave a stern warning when He said, "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the  day of judgment, for by your words you will be justified and by your works you will be condemned." Matt 12:36"

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, also had something to say about this malady that is so prevalent in our society today, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace in those who hear." (Eph. 4:29)

Soooo, my young friends, what words will you utter this day?  Will they be words that bring honor to your heavenly Father?  As the old hillbilly said, "Careful dude" with that miraculous device in your mouth, and keep in mind, choose only those words that are sweet to the taste, for you just might end up "EATING THEM".  Spoken from a voice of experience!

Blessings,

Gramps