About 40% of Proverbs 18 talks of the dangers of the mouth, tongue, words, gossip, and the propensity of fools to use the mouth poorly. A fool delights in airing his own opinions. His lips bring strife. His mouth invites beatings, undoes him, snares his soul. Answering before listening is folly and shame. Gossip words go down to hurt in the depths of ones being. A rich man can answer the poor harshly. The tongue has life and death power – and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
So how can the mouth be used well? Spoken words are deep waters. Compared to wisdom, a bubbling brook, deep waters bring resources to drink and a home for sea animals and spawning spot for omega 3's, but they can also be a risk for drowning. Again the analogy is well made for where do we drown ourselves quicker, easier, without a moment's thought, than thru our tongue? How many times have we had to say, "I'm sorry; I just didn't think…" On the other hand, thinking too long can lose the opportunity for a right word spoken at the right time.
Fromt his chapter one could conclude the only safe use of the mouth is in eating. "From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied." (v.20) The mouth is the pipeline for nutrition to the body. In the same way it can be the pipeline for nutrition to the soul, both through the right things I might say to myself, as well as the right things I say to others. Physical as well as emotional satisfaction come thru this opportunity. Might I keep my heart and mind focused seeking the next opening to use this God-given power for good.
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