"Are You Staying Out Of Trouble?"

January 25, 2024 | By Chuck

  “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23) I am constantly asking many of you, “Are you staying out of trouble?” Of course, I’m teasing and giving you a hard time, but the goal of staying out of trouble shouldn’t only be a command for the kids. As adults and especially as Christians, we should have a strong desire to stay out of trouble and live in a way that honors God. The above Proverb gives great insight into how we can all stay out of trouble. Just keep your mouth and your tongue. Sounds easy enough, right?

            The idea of keeping your mouth and your tongue is keeping them to yourself. I have been told all my life, "Think before you speak." That is a simple statement, but most of us are living proof that it’s not an easy practice at times. We must learn to give sincere thought and consideration to our words before we allow them to pass through our lips. Much hurt has come from careless and thoughtless words spoken. We can quickly find ourselves in trouble when we do not keep a tight rein on our tongue. Something I try to remind myself of is that I don’t always have to make a comment, and sometimes it’s best when I don’t.

            May we be wise and thoughtful with our words and keep ourselves out of trouble. “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)