Watch what you say and don't say anything...
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." (Proverbs 21:23 ESV)
In Matthew Poole's Commentary concerning this verse, he wrote, "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue from offensive and provoking speeches, keepeth his soul, his person, from troubles; which a licentious and abusive tongue frequently brings upon a man."
John Gill said, "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
... Guards the one and bridles the other; is careful of what he says, that it is truth, and without dissimulation and guile; and is not injurious to the characters of men, and is not offensive and provoking; who abstains from ill and wrathful language, and which tends to stir up wrath and contention."
It seems wise to be extremely careful what we say, and then even to not say much at all. Sure, we should speak, and speak often for those without a voice. Sure, we should speak truth, and speak it always with gentleness, and fear and trembling. Sure, we should speak of the excellencies of Christ, His great gospel, and His magnificent nature, and do so in all humility. However, in those things, and especially outside those things, we ought to be careful of our speech (even through social media!).
This is wisdom, lest we love quarrels and contentiousness. It is wisdom to be careful in our speech, lest we love troubles in our souls.
We ought not give our tongues much liberty. Just because we can say what we want does not mean we should say it. Just because we have "free speech" according to man's law does not mean we will not be held accountable for EVERY idle word spoken when we stand before the Lord. Think about that for a bit...
Surely a previous Proverb from the same chapter is helpful: "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor." (Proverbs 21:21 ESV)
Lord, in all our ways, might we pursue righteousness and kindness, and especially in our speech. Help us, Lord, guard our mouths and bridle our tongues today.
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