“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
 Keep watch over the door of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3

This is a verse, really a prayer, that should be before us always.  It is so easy to say things that are regretted as soon as they leave the mouth and can never be retrieved.  With this verse in mind let’s see what Scripture opens up to us.

“In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in  
 doctrine, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the
 opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”
 Titus 2:7-8

Let’s look at the portion of these verses concerning our being ‘sound in speech which is beyond reproach’.

Scripture gives us several admonitions concerning our speech:
Proverbs goes right to the matter of guarding our mouths,
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
 And adds learning to his lips.”  Proverbs 16:23

“He who has knowledge spares his words,
 And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”  Proverbs 17:27
 Verse 28 goes on to say,
“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
 When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”  

Colossians 4:6 says,
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so 
 that you may know how you should respond to each person.”

The Apostle Paul to Timothy (and us) says in 2 Timothy 1:13,
“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the
 faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

“For WE ALL stumble in many ways.  If anyone does not stumble in what 
 he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.”  
James 3:2  (My emphasis)

There is a time for speaking and Scripture speaks to us concerning wise words:
“How forceful are right words!…”  Job 6:25

They are pleasant:
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
 Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”  Proverbs 16:24

They are kind:
“A soft answer turns away wrath,
 But a harsh word stirs up anger.
 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
 But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”  Proverbs 15:1-2

They are appropriate:
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver
 Is a word spoken in right circumstances.”  Proverbs 25:11

They are gracious:
“Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him.”  Ecclesiastes 10:12

Therefore, let us heed the words of God to guard our lips and mouth; to speak wisely with words that are pleasant, kind, appropriate and gracious.  We need to stop and think!  As we are more and more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will teach and lead us into when, how and what to say at the right time.   

Hallelujah! The Lord God is in control!  Amen