READING: Proverbs 30
“Put your hand over your mouth.”
Proverbs 30:32
Some people would be wise to just be quiet. They talk a lot, and the more they talk, the more trouble they stir up. The writer of Proverbs put it this way: “If you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you’ve been scheming, put your hand over your mouth” (Prov. 30:32). It’s really that simple – if you don’t be quiet, your bragging and contentiousness will create greater problems (as illustrated by three unique pictures in Proverbs): “For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife” (Prov. 30:33). The person who creates trouble will thus only stir up more trouble.
By implication, we who want to produce positive results must learn to exalt Christ rather than ourselves, and we must check the motives and actions of our hearts. If we cannot do both, we’re better off to “clap our hands” over our mouths. Silence is better than words if the words are evil; better yet are confession and repentance that allow us to speak and think in a Christlike way. Today—especially on the Lord’s Day when so much of what we do is based on words we teach, preach, sing, and pray—may our hearts honor Him.
ACTION STEPS:
- Check the condition of your heart before you go to church today.
- Let your praises and prayers today come from a humble heart.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to be quiet when my heart is not right.”
