As I was reading Proverbs 15 on the fifteenth day of this month, I noticed how many verses in this chapter pertained to the mouth and our words.

Verse 1: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Verse 2: The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Verse 7: The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Verse 14: The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Verse 23: A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Verse 26: The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Verse 28: The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Just from these seven verses, we see we can either turn away anger or fuel it; we can speak with knowledge or foolishness; our words can bring joy and pleasantness; and we can speak with righteous words or evil. As we read in James 3:5, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

I remember learning this children’s song in Sunday school when I was in the third grade:

O be careful little mouth what you say;
O be careful little mouth what you say,
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love;
So, be careful little mouth what you say.

James 3:10 says, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” How will you use your tongue today? Will good or evil be fueled by your words today? Will you speak righteousness or foolishness today? Will your words encourage someone today, or will they cause hurt and discouragement?

In Psalms 141:3, we read David’s prayer, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”

“O, be careful little mouth what you say.”

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Pat Carr, Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Carr was born and raised in San Francisco, where she was saved at the age of 11 at Calvary Baptist Church. She and her family have been members of North Valley Baptist Church since 1982. Mrs. Carr has worked in various ministries on the church staff since then. She is presently a typist for Pastor Trieber.