How To Keep Your Foot Out Of Your Mouth

Prov. 17:28 - Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. NASU 

• The Best Way 

The best way to keep your foot out of your mouth according to Solomon is to keep your mouth shut. In fact, you will not only keep your foot out of your mouth you will be considered wise by some.
 
I am sure we have all said something we wish we hadn't. If we could only get those words back into our mouth, but once they are out that is when the regrets begin. 

• Peter's Way 

When reading the New Testament we can discover Peter on more than one occasion opened his mouth and stuck his foot in it. In the passage below we have Peter rebuking Jesus.
 
Matt. 16:22-23 - Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never  happen to You." 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." 
 
Jesus will not let Peter's rebuke of Him go without being addressed. Jesus is not saying Peter has the devil in him. The word "satan" means "adversary" and an adversary is one whose plans or goals are different from yours. (The word "satan" should have been translated instead of transliterated and this would eliminate a lot of confusion over this verse.)
 
Jesus had just informed His disciples He was going into Jerusalem where He would suffer, be killed, and raised on the third day. This was God's plan before the foundation of the world and now Peter is telling Jesus this will never happen.
 
In other words, Peter's plan is different from God's plan. Well, we all know Jesus was correct and Peter was wrong once again. 

• Make This Your Way 

If you are going to open your mouth and we all know we will occasionally then let me share this passage with you: Prov. 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 
 
If you are going to talk then use gentle answers or soft tones. He goes on to say, "a harsh word stirs up anger." In other words, the way you speak can either diffuse a situation or exacerbate it.
 
So it all depends on you. Do you want to keep your foot out of your mouth? If yes, then learn how to give gentle answers or keep your mouth closed.
 
I would like to share one more proverb with you today.
 
Prov. 13:3 - The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 
 
Think On These:
 
It's too bad more people are thoughtless than speechless.
 
Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
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