The Ballestero Blog

When To Keep Your Mouth Shut

Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

1. In the Heat of Anger

• Psalm 116:11 (KJV) I said in my haste, All men are liars.

2. When You Don’t Have All The Facts

• Proverbs 18:13 (KJV) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

3. If Your Words Make Your Family, Friends or Church Look Bad

• James 3:6 (KJV) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

4. When You Are Tempted To Make Light Of Holy Things

• Matthew 22:5 (KJV) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

5. If You Think You Might Regret Your Words Later

• Proverbs 6:2 (KJV) Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
• Proverbs 14:1 (KJV) Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

6. When You Are Tempted To Tell At Lie

• Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

• Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
• ¹⁶ These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
• ¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
  ¹⁸ An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
  ¹⁹ A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

7. If You Can’t Speak Without Yelling

• Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

8. When It’s Time To Listen

• James 1:19 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

9. If You’ve Already Said It Once Before. (Anymore becomes nagging.)

10. .If You KNOW That You Talk Too Much.

• Proverbs 10:19 (KJV) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

11.If Your Words Are Meant To Get Even Or To Give Someone A “Piece Of Your Mind”

• Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

12. If You Know It Will Cause Argument Or Debate

• 2 Timothy 2:23 (KJV) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

13. If You Know That WHAT You’re Saying Can Hinder Revival In Your Church.

• Galatians 5:15 (KJV) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

14. If Your Words Will Offend A Weak Brother

• 1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (KJV)
  ¹¹ And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
  ¹² But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
  ¹³ Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

15.When You’re Tempted To Make A Joke About Sin

• Proverbs 14:9 (KJV) Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

16. When The Subject Is None Of Your Business

• 1 Peter 4:15 (KJV) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.2 Thessalonians 3:11 (KJV) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

17. If Your Words Will Damage Another’s Reputation Or Character

• Proverbs 16:27 (KJV) An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.Proverbs 18:8 (KJV) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

18.If Your Words Will Damage A Friendship

• Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

19. When You’re Feeling Critical

• James 3:9-10 (KJV)
• ⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
  ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

20. When We May Later Have To Eat Our Words

• Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
• Matthew 12:37 (KJV) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

21.If Your Speech Is Not Consistent With Godly Living.