Bridges on Proverbs 10:19
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 10:19
 
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19.  In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
 
Hypocrisy and slander are not the only sins of the tongue. Indeed, considering the corrupt fountain from whence they flow (Genesis 6:5. Matthew 12:34), we cannot conceive of words, much less a multitude of words, without sin. There is the sin of egotism. “Our own mouth praises us, not another.” (Chapter 27:2.) We love to hear ourselves talk; and present our own judgment intrusively. There is also the sin of vain babbling, a canker to the vital principle. (2 Timothy 2:16, 17. Ecclesiastes 10:13, 14. 1 Timothy 5:13.) The fool talks for ever upon nothing; not because he is full, but because he is empty; not for instruction, but for the pure love of talking. This wantonness is a sin of the flesh, trifling with the most responsible talent, when ‘conversation is,’ as Bishop Butler truly remarks, ‘merely the exercise of the tongue; no other human faculty has any place in it.’ The government of the tongue is therefore a searching test of the soundness of our religion. (James 1:26; 3:2.) Considering, therefore, the sin connected with the multitude of words, it is surely our wisdom to refrain our lips (Chapter 17:27, 28. Job 13:5. Ecclesiastes 5:3. James 1:19), not indeed in silence, but in caution; to weigh our words before uttering them; never speaking, except when we have something to say; speaking only just enough; considering the time, circumstances, and person (Job 32:4-7); what is solid, suitable, and profitable. (Chapter 15:23. Ephesians 4:29. Colossians 4:6.) Indeed a talent for conversation is valueless both to the possessor and to the auditors, except it be connected with a talent for silence. The sphere of social intercourse, that stimulates the conversational powers, at the same time teaches the wholesome discipline of the tongue — that beautiful accomplishment of silence; which however, alike with its opposite grace, derives its chief loveliness, as the fruit of Christian humility and kindness. The wisdom is especially valuable under provocation. (1 Samuel 10:27. 2 Kings 18:36.) And even in the unbending of innocent recreation, the discipline of godly sobriety is of great moment. The sins of this “little member” are not trifles. They need the full application of the gospel. What but “the blood of sprinkling,” could enable us to meet “the account for every idle word at the day of judgment”? ‘Light words weigh heavy in God's balance.’ Woe to us, if the greater Surety did not bear the sins of our vain words, no less than of our grosser wickedness! Never let us think of these sins as anything less than the nails that pierced his hands and his feet. And will not this sensibility of sin quicken our prayer for an increase of this refraining wisdom? “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Genesis 6:5
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. {every...: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires} {continually: Heb. every day}
 
Matthew 12:34
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
 
 
Proverbs 27:2
2 ¶ Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
 
 
2 Timothy 2:16, 17
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; {canker: or, gangrene}
 
Ecclesiastes 10:13, 14
13 For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly. 14 The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead.
 
1 Timothy 5:13
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
 
 
Footnote:
Sermon on the Government of the Tongue. ‘One meets with people in the world, who never seem to have made the wise man's observation, that “there is a time to keep silence.” These times, one would think, should be easily distinguished by everybody; namely, when a man has nothing to say, or nothing but what is better unsaid.’ Ib. Compare Ecclesiasticus 19:6; 20:5-7.
 

 
Ecclesiasticus 19:6
6 He that sinneth against his own soul, shall repent: and he that is delighted with wickedness, shall be condemned.
 
Ecclesiasticus 20:5-7
5 There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech. 6 There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time. 7 A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
 
 
James 1:26
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
 
James 3:2
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
 
 
Proverbs 17:27, 28
27 ¶ He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. {an...: or, a cool} 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
 
Job 13:5
5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
 
Ecclesiastes 5:3
3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
 
James 1:19
19 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
 
 
Job 32:4-7
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. {waited...: Heb. expected Job in words} {elder: Heb. elder for days} 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. 6 ¶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. {young: Heb. few of days} {durst...: Heb. feared} 7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
 
 
Proverbs 15:23
23 ¶ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! {due...: Heb. his season}
 
Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. {to...: or, to edify profitably}
 
Colossians 4:6
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
 
 
1 Samuel 10:27
27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. {held...: or, was as though he had been deaf}
 
2 Kings 18:36
36 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
 
 
Footnote:
Nichols. Matthew 12:36.
 

 
Matthew 12:36
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
 
 
Psalm 141:3
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.