Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Managing the Mouth

"If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.... the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.... Open thy mouth for the dumb in the case of all such as are appointed for destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 30:32,33, 31:8,9). "To everything there is a season.... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7).

Sometimes we should speak our mind
To share a timely truth in life.
Sometimes speaking is not kind
And only serves to kindle strife.

Sometimes we should plead the cause
Of those who need a clear defense.
Sometimes we should wisely pause
Until we hear the evidence.

Sometimes speaking has its season,
Persuading souls we seek to win.
Sometime silence has good reason,
But silence oftentimes is sin.

Lord, help us know in every case
When our mouth should speak or cease.
Teach us to be led by grace
To be Your counselors of peace.

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