Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth!

Psa 141:3

Psa 130:3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

Psa 106:33 for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.

Of all my failures in life, and there have been many, controlling my mouth has been the biggest struggle. I used to carry a card around with me with the message, CAUTION: BE SURE BRAIN IS ENGAGED BEFORE PUTTIN MOUTH IN GEAR! By the time I reached for the card, the hurtful or ill advised words had already escaped. Many dear friends and loved ones have been terribly wounded as a result of my acid tongue.

Mat 15:11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

A dear friend of mine was retiring and I was asked to speak during his ceremony. In my profane manner, sick humor flowed out of my mouth like Niagara Falls. As the words passed my lips, out of the corner of my eye sat a fellow wearing a black shirt with a pure white collar, who appeared to be praying. I was sick to my stomach. The damage already done. There was no putting the toothpaste back in that tube. Me and my mouth.

Pro 12:18-19 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Jas 3:8 ... no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Jas 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

A major event took place when Christ found me. Baptism in the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and soul to the value and worth of meekness and a delay in my lips. The longer the lips remain closed, the less the opportunity to offend.

Almighty God, Holy Spirit, teach me the art of silence, of pause in order that I might represent you well with the quiet strength that comes from your Majestic wisdom, in Christ Jesus, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?