"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."
Proverbs 13:3
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:”
The first thing that comes to mind might not be worth saying without thinking it through. This verse reminds us that it is a healthy thing to put a filter on what we say. Doing so just might protect (keep) our soul. That may seem like a strange thing to say, but remember that Jesus taught us that it is what comes out of our mouths that corrupt us.
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man” (Matthew 15:18).
Our words come from our hearts and reveal what is present there. It is our words that taint us. Many thoughtless words spoken will be a detriment to our soul.
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
Almost the same words as are in our verse for today are found in chapter twenty-one, yes the thought is there.
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).
The wise believer,
“…watches that no sinful vain thoughts rise up in his soul and come forth in words, and because he thus keeps his soul,… himself, safe from the destructive consequences of the sins of the tongue.”1
“But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Too much talk can destroy us. Ungoverned talk is deadly. James reminds us that the tongue is “…full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). It not only can kill others, but we may finish off ourselves also. Let’s not be foolish with our talk!
“Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction” (Proverbs 10:14).
David’s wise words asking the LORD for His help should be our prayer to aid us in governing our speech.
“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
1. Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword.