READING: Proverbs 19-21, 2 Corinthians 10
I’ve known Christians who posted their scripture memory verses on their bathroom mirror so they would see the Word early in the morning and re-ignite the process of memorizing it each day. I’ve known others who kept their memory verse on a card in their pocket or on the dashboard of their car (probably not the wisest move if one is driving). In any case, the goal was to keep the Word in front of them as much as possible. That goal’s a smart one.
In fact, it would do most of us good to keep this particular scripture in front of us: “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble” (Prov 21:23). As with all the proverbs, these words are not a promise, but they do reflect general truths. People who don’t control their mouths usually get themselves into trouble, but those who guard their mouths at least don’t readily invite trouble. On the other hand, the uncontrolled tongue reflects an uncontrolled arrogant heart—and that’s a problem.
Guarding the heart—and thus the mouth and tongue, too—helps to protect against trouble. Doing so doesn’t happen by accident, though; it occurs because we choose to, under the power of God, obey the Word of God. Thus, I repeat the verse for today so that we read it again and again: “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble” (Prov 21:23).
PRAYER: “I need Your ever-present help, Lord, to guard my mouth. Help me not to be a mocker.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 22-23, 2 Corinthians 11
