As we come to our third topic in this “Examine Yourself” series, we move to an area that is difficult for most people – controlling their lips.
Warren Weirsbe has said this, “Whatever is in the heart will ultimately come out of the mouth”. How very true this is!
In the book of Proverbs, the words mouth or lips are mentioned over 40 times, so Solomon is warning us to be careful with our speech. In the passage we are looking at in this series (Proverbs 4:20-27), verse 24 says this,
“Put away crooked speech and put devious talk far from you” (ESV)
Crooked speech is speech that is used to deceive someone or some group either by directly lying or by intentional misdirection to achieve a selfish or self-centered purpose. (1)
The word devious means – “showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals” (2)
As christians, we must be careful with the way we use our lips. So many times we use our lips to tear down other people INSIDE THE CHURCH! How much since does that make? We don’t like the way the song leader sings or we don’t like the type of music he does or we think that the preacher goes too long or we think this or we think that! I am all for everyone having their own opinions because the world would be a very boring place if everyone where to agree with me 100% of the time, but the point that I am making is this – instead of complaining with our LIPS about things, we need to use our LIPS to praise God above and share HIS love and not use crooked speech or devious talk against other people.
THE WORLD IS WATCHING THE WAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES! They are watching our every move and the first time we slander someone or tear down a co-worker – BAM! That is when they will begin to call us a hypnotic! “You say you believe in the Bible and that is how you act” or “You say you’re a christian and you talk like that”.
If we have repented and confessed that Jesus is Lord then we are a peculiar people! We are different because we have Christ inside of us. Let’s act and talk like it! We must look into our lives and examine ourselves to make sure that what is coming out of our lips is what is pleasing to God.
Solomon warns us again other ways that we can use our lips:
- Lying lips
- Flattering lips
- Deceptive lips
- Undisciplined lips
Just like the heart – we must be careful to guard it everyday! “Proverbs 13:3 – Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Examine yourself today to see how you are using your lips!
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