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3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
The last Proverb contrasted a fruitful and mischievous — this a cautious and ungoverned — tongue. “Keep thine heart.” (Chapter 4:23.) This guards the citadel. Keep thy mouth. This sets a watch at the gates. If they be well guarded, the city is safe. Leave them unprotected — Thus was Babylon taken. ‘He that looketh carefully to his tongue takes a safe course for preserving his life, which is oft in danger by much and wild talking.’† Think before we speak; ponder our words, their substance, manner, time, place, audience. The unruly member needs a strong bridle, and a strong hand to hold it. (James 3:2, 3.) Though it be necessary to open our lips; yet to open them wide; to let all come out; is a fearful hazard. (Chapter 10:14; 12:13.) For if “in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin” (Chapter 10:19), this evil must bring us within the jaws of destruction.
“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; and keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3) — was the prayer of one, who knew the danger of an ungoverned tongue, and the only way to tame it. Shall we not call in God's help, in the recollection, how often has our unguarded tongue “given place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27), and “grieved the Holy Comforter”? (Ib. verse 30.) How much more matter do we make for repentance by our speaking than by our silence! Let the practical power of faith quicken watchfulness and prayer, self-abasement and self-discipline, godly fear and energy of conflict. Two things are clear. But for the blood of Christ, the mass of guilt from the sins of the tongue would have condemned us for ever; and in proportion as the “little member” is bridled, “the peace of God rules in the heart.”
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