Bridges on Proverbs 21:23
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 21:23
 
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23.  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
 
How frequently does the wise man remind us of the responsibility connected with the use “of the little member!”† Yet as the test of a sound or unsound religion, can we have it too often before our eyes? (James 1:26.) Indeed the soundness of the regenerate heart is in nothing more manifest, than in making conscience of speech. The corruption of the heart indeed is the main source. But its evil is fearfully increased by the ebullition of the lips. How large a portion of this world's ceaseless troubles may be traced to this prolific source! It is the unbridled horse, that brings his rider into fearful jeopardy. The mouth has been opened rashly. The tongue has flowed unguardedly; and “behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”† Our neighbor has been injured; God has been dishonored; and bitter trouble of soul has been the fruit.
What then is our preventive from this imminent temptation? Cultivate a deep and watchful sensibility. Walk closely with God. Cherish the tender spirit of his constraining obligations. Keep the tongue for his service; asking for his grace at once to restrain and employ it. (Psalm 141:3.) Thus consecrated to God, it becomes “the glory of man” (Psalm 57:8); not only keeping him from trouble, but elevating him to fellowship in the ceaseless praises of the heavenly world.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; 14:3; 17:20; 18:6, 7, 21.
 
 
Proverbs 10:14
14 ¶ Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
 
Proverbs 12:13
13 ¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. {The wicked...: Heb. The snare of the wicked is in the transgression of lips}
 
Proverbs 13:3
3 ¶ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
 
Proverbs 14:3
3 ¶ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
 
Proverbs 17:20
20 ¶ He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. {He that hath a froward...: Heb. The froward of heart}
 
Proverbs 18:6, 7, 21
6 ¶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 21 ¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
James 3:5. See how strongly Job protests against the imputation of the injury of the tongue, chapter 31:30. ‘The tongue’ — says Bp. Taylor, in his bold imagery — ‘is a fountain both of bitter water and of sweet. It sends forth blessing and cursing. It is sometimes “set on fire,” and then it puts whole cities into combustion. It is unruly, and no more to be restrained than the breath of a tempest. It is volatile and fugitive. Reason should go before it; and when it does not, repentance comes after it. It was intended for an organ of divine praises. But the devil often plays on it, and then it sounds like the screech-owl, or the groans of death. Sorrow and shame, folly and repentance, are the notes and forcible accents of this discord.’ — Sermon on the Good and Evil tongue.
 
 
James 3:5
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {a matter: or, wood}
 
Job 31:30
30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. {mouth: Heb. palate}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 141:3
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 57:8
8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.