Wisely Control Your Lips

May 10: Proverbs 10

Starting in Chapter 10, most verses are two phrase sayings of wisdom. There are some that you will quickly recognize as some someone else needs to hear, but hopefully you will also recognize some sayings that you need to work on within yourself.

I highlighted several verses in this chapter. I hope you found several that spoke to you too. Verse 19 says, “When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.” People who talk a lot makes me think of those who have no filter and just say whatever comes to mind. They are likely to say things they shouldn’t that are offensive to others. I’ve heard it said that the wisest person in the room is also the quietest.

James 3:8 says, “No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” The tongue is a dangerous thing. We must consciously work to be careful that our words aren’t hurting others and are instead building up those around us.
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James 1:19 says, “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Just last night I said something I regretted. These verse are reminders to listen more and speak less.

Which proverb stood out to you today?

Proverbs 10

A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs

1 Solomon’s proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone, but righteousness rescues from death.
3 The Lord will not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the wicked what they crave.
4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches.
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.
10 A sly wink of the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.
14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.
15 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life; the activity of the wicked leads to sin.
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The Lord’s blessing enriches, and struggle adds nothing to it.
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him, but what the righteous desires will be given to him.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so the slacker is to the one who sends him [on an errand].
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable, but destruction awaits the malicious.
30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not remain on the earth.
31 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, [only] what is perverse.