The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. (Proverbs 17:27, NIV)
“Keep your mouth off my ball!” Surely, you’ve heard this on the golf course. It is typically blurted out by one looking to place blame for their putt not falling after someone in the group says, “It’s in” or “made it” while the ball was still in motion.
“Keep your lips off my ball” is an alternative version with the same intent. Despite the audible comments having zero impact on the ball’s destination, some folks feel the need to protect the air space surrounding their putt’s path.
While the intent of the commenter is usually well-intended, it is not always well-received. This can be true on and off the course, so I went to a book of wisdom for some, well, wisdom.
It turns out the Proverbs have a lot to say about wise use of your mouth and lips, so like a golf course, I’ve pared the list to just 18 verses and shared them here with you.
The Mouth Nine
“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” (Proverbs 4:24).
“The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice” (Proverbs 16:10).
“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction” (Proverbs 16:23).
“The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives” (Proverbs 18:7).
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” (Proverbs 10:11).
“The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin” (Proverbs 10:14).
“From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced” (Proverbs 10:31).
“The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly” (Proverbs 15:2).
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity” (Proverbs 21:23).
The Lips Nine
“Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense” (Proverbs 10:13).
“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense” (Proverbs 10:21).
“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward” (Proverbs 12:14).
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22).
“A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them” (Proverbs 14:3).
“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse” (Proverbs 19:1).
“Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel” (Proverbs 20:15).
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).
Good guidance, indeed. And here’s a bonus for the 19th Hole. Should you ever find yourself in a ‘should I say it or not’ quandary, ponder this Proverb.
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (Proverbs 17:28).
Prayer: Lord, help us be wise with our words and speech. When tempted to speak, remind us not everything needs to be said.