Fruit of Your Mouth

A couple of days ago I read through the whole book of Proverbs and wrote out every verse concerning the mouth, tongue, speech, and lips.  You see I recently found myself in a situation where I had to eat my words and they did not taste so sweet. I was ashamed and convicted for my lack of restraint. I decided I needed a little reminder of the seriousness of my words, so to help me remember and re-focus on how God wants me to use my mouth I went to the Proverbs. This was not some form of punishment, but a practice I felt led to do and was blessed by the study.

As I read through, underlined, and wrote out each verse I was reminded what a blessing or curse our words can be. They can be a source of LIFE or DEATH. We choose every time we open our mouths.

Do I use my words for the glory of God? To encourage? To build up? Or do I use them to tear down, exalt myself, or hurt others? I have discovered in this time period with social media sites we can even share things and sin without ever opening our mouths. With a simple click of a button we can SHARE something hurtful or untrue, and in the process tear down, shred hearts, and destroy lives.. I commit to being watchful and careful. How about you?

I don’t think any more of my words are needed on this topic, just the powerful word of God. I know it's a long read, but I believe you will be blessed by reading the verses specifically about the mouth all combined together.  (Forgive me if I missed any verses) 

PROVERBS

4:24 “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.” 6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eye, signals with his feet, points with his finger.” 8:6-8 “Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.” 8:13 Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” 10:8 “a babbling fool will come to ruin” 10:10 “a babbling fool will come to ruin” 10:11 “the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” 10:13 “on the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found” 10:14” the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.” 10:18 “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” 10:20 “the tongue of the righteous is choice silver.” 10:21”The lips of the righteous feed many” 10:31” The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.” 10:32” The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable.” 11:12” Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” 11:13 “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in Spirit keeps a thing covered.”11:22”Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.” 11:25” Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” 12:13” An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips.” 12:14” from the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good.” 12:17” whoever speaks truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.” 12:18” the tongue of the wise bring healing”12:19 “truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” 12:22 “ Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” 13:2”from the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good” 13:3 “ whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” 14:3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.” 14:5 “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” 14:7 “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.” 14:25 “a truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.” 15:1-2 “A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.” 15:4 “a gentle tongues is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” 15:7 “the lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.” 15:23 “to make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” 15:26 “Gracious words are pure.” 15:28 “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” 16:13 “Righteous lips are the delight of a King, and he loves him who speaks what is right.” 16:17 “The highway of the upright turns aside from evil.” 16:23 “The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.” 16:24 “ Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” 16:28 “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” 17:4 “an evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” 17:9 “Whoever covers and offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” 17:27 “whoever restrains his words has knowledge.” 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips.” 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” 18:4 “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” 18:6-8 “A fools lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels, they go down into the inner parts of the body.” 8:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” 18:20 “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 19:1 “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.” 19:9 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.” 20:15 “”the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” 20:19 “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with a simple babbler.” 21-8 “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” 21:23 “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.” 22:17-18 “Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.” 23:9 “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.” 23:16”My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.” 24:26 “ whoever gives and honest answer kisses the lips” 24:28 “Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.” 25:11 “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” 25:15” a soft tongue will break a bone” 16:4-5 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 26:7 “Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” 26:9 “Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” 26:17-28 “Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.  The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.  Like the glaze covering and earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts rolling it. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. 27:1-2 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” 29:5 “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” 29: 6 “a righteous man sings and rejoices” 29:9 “if a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.” 29:11 “a fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” 29:20 “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” 30: 8 “Remove far from me falsehood and lying” 30:10 “Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you be held guilty.” 31:8 “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 31:9 “open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the right of the poor and needy.” 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”