Refrain Your Lips From Evil

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth .                                                                                                                    -Proverbs 30:32

What does it mean to “think evil”? You are thinking evil when you dwell on any kind of thoughts that are contrary to God's Word.

What are you supposed to do if you are guilty of thinking evil? “Put your hand on your mouth.” God is telling you, “If you’ve thought evil, that’s one thing. But don’t verbalize it, or you might get the evil you’ve been thinking! If you’ve done foolishly or thought evil, lay your hand on your mouth.”

Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to keep our mouths closed. James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

So refuse to dwell on evil thoughts of doubt, unbelief, complaint or worry. Don’t let them come out of your mouth. Be slow to speak. Refrain your lips from doubtful and evil speaking. Put your hand on your mouth if you have to! Do whatever you have to do to make sure your words line up with the Word of God!

CONFESSION:

I guard my words and keep them in line with God’s Word. The words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are acceptable in the sight of God, my strength and my redeemer! (Ps. 19:14)

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999