The MouthThe Mouth

• Unlike money, words come in an unlimited supply; we never run out of words

• ProverbsProverbs reminds us of the potential reminds us of the potential of words for both good and evilof words for both good and evil

• Pro.18:21

The method• A quick glance at every occurrence of

the word “mouth” in Proverbs offers too many passages to use

– Solomon seems as obsessed w. mouth as he was w. money

• We can’t stop with “mouth” –

– tongue

– lips

– words

II Many Ways To Misuse MouthMany Ways To Misuse Mouth

1. Hypocritical (1. Hypocritical (godlessgodless, , ESVESV), 11:9), 11:9

– By slander and insinuation, he cuts into pieces . . .

– A penitent thief can return the money

– A murderer cannot restore the life

– Neither can one who damages another person’s reputation w. malicious gossip

The slanderer

• “The murderer only takes the life of the parent and leaves his character as a goodly heritage to his chil-dren, while the slanderer takes away his goodly reputation and leaves him a living monument to his children’s disgrace” –Andrew Jackson

2. Wide open, 13:32. Wide open, 13:3

• “When you are talking, you ain’t learning”

• To sin more, simply talk more

• Be sparing with:

– PromisesPromises

– AssertionsAssertions

– DisclosuresDisclosures

3.3. Fool, 14:7Fool, 14:7

– A worthless experience

• 26:7, a lame man’s legs…

• 26:9, a thorn…

4. Not enough by themselves4. Not enough by themselves

• True in two ways:– 14:23, all talk

• Mere talk will not put food on the table, save the lost, or edify the saved

• The language of actionaction is more eloquent than the language of wordswords

– 29:19, w/o discipline…

5. Harsh, 15:15. Harsh, 15:1

– 29:20, 22 • As children we learned a lie• Children suffer for decades

from unjust parental fault-finding, hurtful nicknames, sarcasm, unjust criticism….

6. Talebearer, 18:86. Talebearer, 18:8 – National Enquirer

7. Deceit, 20:177. Deceit, 20:17

– Aftertaste

8.8. Abusive speech, 21:19Abusive speech, 21:19 – In an English country churchyard:

• Beneath this stone

• A lump of clay

• Lies Arabella Young

• Who, on the twenty-fourth of May,

• Began to hold her tongue

9. Hate, 26:24-269. Hate, 26:24-26

– Disguises himself… • “I don’t want you to think I’m

gossiping, but…”

10. Self-praise, 27:2; 30:3210. Self-praise, 27:2; 30:32

11. Flattery, 28:2311. Flattery, 28:23

– – A rebuke is better inA rebuke is better in the long run

IIII Many Good Ways Many Good Ways To Use The MouthTo Use The Mouth

1. Restrained, 10:191. Restrained, 10:19– Exaggerations, lies, slander . . .

cannot occur when the mouth stays closed

– 15:28; 18:13, 17 • Two sides to most issues

– 17:28 • If you want to decrease sin and

increase your stature . . .

2. Delivers, 12:6b2. Delivers, 12:6b

– Sincerity is the best defense against slander

– Live so that no one will believe a false charge

3. Wise, 12:183. Wise, 12:18

– Some people delight in speaking words that would the soul like a sword cuts the body

– The tongue of the wise promotes health

4. Fruit, 13:2 4. Fruit, 13:2 – Words pass; their fruit remains

5. Guarded, 13:35. Guarded, 13:3

– Don’t give ammo to the enemy

– 21:23

• Wisdom lets us know when to speak, when to keep silent

• “I have often regretted my speech, never my silence” (Publius)

6. Answer, 15:16. Answer, 15:1–16:21, 24. 1 Sm.14:27–25:15b, break bone??

• The quiet persistence of dripping water can wear away a rock

7.7. Well-timed, 15:23Well-timed, 15:23

– Verbal skill

• Timing is important

– 25:11. Col.4:6

– 27:14

8. Knowledge, 20:158. Knowledge, 20:15

– Lips of knowledge = precious jewel– A better gift is knowledge of God

• The world is poor because her treasure is buried in the sky and all her treasure maps are of the earth

9. Kind, 31:269. Kind, 31:26

–Instead of opening her mouth in gossip and slander, she speaks words of kindness

–She would want embarrassing information about herself kept quiet . . .

Application

1. We reap what we say (sow)1. We reap what we say (sow) Ja.1:26

– When we speak wisely, we bless ourselves and others

– When we speak foolishly or maliciously, we harm ourselves and others

2. We carry a deadly weapon2. We carry a deadly weapon, Ja.3

3. We tend to hurt those we 3. We tend to hurt those we shouldshould love the mostlove the most, Ja.4:11

– Some tear down others to make themselves look good

– Parents even do it w. children

– Some spread rumors and share confidential information to appear important; people will listen to them

4. We can eliminate gossip by 4. We can eliminate gossip by obeying the gospelobeying the gospel

a. Confront it directly, Mt.18:15-17

b. Refuse to listen, Pro.20:19

c. Learn to love, Pro.10:12

A Test

1.1. When is the last time you When is the last time you gossiped? gossiped?

2.2. When is the last time you When is the last time you encouragedencouraged someone? someone?

3.3. Where do you expect to spend Where do you expect to spend eternity? eternity?