Think Before You Speak! Proverbs 15:28

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.  - Proverbs 15:28

Look before you leap.  There is a proverb outside Scripture that reminds us to seriously think about the steps we take, because once we take them we cannot get them back.  Our proverb today is similar to this except it deals with what we say.  One might say that this proverb could be said this way, "Think before you speak!" 

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer.  We should note right from the start that the "heart" of the righteous is what is pondering his answer.  The godly man does not allow his mouth to run its own course without the management of the heart.  He wants to speak from the heart - not shoot from the hip.  The problem about shooting from the hip when we speak is the carnage that results from drive-by speaking.  This wise man thinks and considers what he is about to say.  He takes the time to meditate on God's Word before he speaks his own.  He discerns what is needed for the situation and speaks according to what God wants.  This godly man speaks as God directs in Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear."  Ultimately this man speaks those wonderful, edifying words that are like "apples of gold in settings of silver" which are words spoken at just the perfect time.

The wicked allows his mouth to have free reign in his life.  This is a dangerous thing because left to itself a mouth can be dangerous.  We read in the third chapter of James, "So the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.  See, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fireon fire!  And the tongue is a fire: the very world of iniquity, the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, ans set on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell."  These verses warn us in the starkest terms of the danger of allowing our mouths and tongues to gho unchecked in what they say.  When we do this it is inevitable that our mouth will "pour out evil things."  The heart of the wicked man will be fully expressed by his words.  The result of this will be much evil and pain in the world.  Consider how many horrible things started with evil words pouring out of a wicked man's mouth.  Think for a moment how Adolph Hitler mesmerized entire crowds in Germany by his wicked words.  Then consider what the end of his leadership brought to the world.  We may not ever do the damage of Hitler, but much harm can come from unwise, un-considered words. 

Precious ones, God wants us to think before we speak.  It will bring blessing to us - and will benefit those who are the recipients of our words.  May we submit what we say to our Lord every morning.  May we ask the Holy Spirit to bridle our tongues so that they do not speak of themselves.  May we surrender all we say for God's purposes and God's specific leadership so that they can truly edify those who hear them.