I've got a question brothers and sisters;
How do we stop those "whose mouths must be stopped"?
By means of personal opinion here...
we don't. God does. But that's just opinion mind you.
Another question also - how do we keep from becoming one "whose mouths must be stopped,"?
Especially of late - sometimes I really feel like I suffer from "Foot-in-mouth" disease. I know the only way to ward off this dreaded affliction is to keep one’s mouth shut. How does one (me) know when I should open said mouth and when to keep said mouth shut? I promise to read any scriptural references you have.
Thanks for you help.
I think the key in every situation is to
listen first, speak second - so long as what is said is in accordance with scripture:
If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:19-25
This is my biggest problem. I like to give my opinion before I hear a matter. I'm quick to speak...not to listen. I find it interesting as well, how James points out that we must be doers of the word right after he says to be quick to hear. We must first listen,
before we can apply or act. To do so before hand...we find ourselves in my boat, choking on our kneecaps!
We forget what we are, and act accordingly. In respect to this problem we face, we speak when we should not.
But there's also the understanding of
when to speak,
if we are to speak, and
what to speak, and
how we are to speak as well:
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
for he will despise the good sense of your words.
Proverbs 23:9
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians 4:25-27
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32
When?[/b]
When I have heard the matter. When I have determined the testimony of the hearer. Is he a fool? When I have discerned the truth of my words and the manner in which I am to deliver them.
If?[/b]
Is he a fool? Is what I am about to say worthy of the One Who called me? Is it in agreement with what
He has already said? Is it in love? Is it to build up? Is my heart right in saying this, and will it remain so if what I say is not well received? If not...
What?[/b]
Edifying, Godly truth.
How?[/b]
In love, in edification, without corruption, without malice, and in kind, tenderhearted forgiveness.
Ya know? When you think about it, we really should listen more, discern before we ever open our mouths or move our fingers over a keyboard. Because
every word we speak will be taken into account.
