Learning to Keep My Mouth Shut

Ahh, the ever popular problem of learning to keep my mouth shut! Maybe you're on the same journey in learning it's not necessary to speak every thought that pops into your head. Today we are in Proverbs 29 with the Good Morning Girls, and we find a verse that gives us motivation to make the necessary changes in this area of our lives.

A fool vents all his feelings, 

 but a wise man holds them back. 

~Proverbs 29:11

In the heat of the moment, when our adrenaline is in high gear and our restraint has flown out the window, words can fly out of our mouths that are better left unsaid. Words that began as thoughts that were not taken captive unto the obedience of Christ {2 Corinthians 10:5}. It's in moments like these that our feelings are dictating our words, which is a dangerous place to be. 

We see here in today's verse that a wise woman will hold back her words.

Words that are harsh.

Words that are arrogant.

Words that are angry.

Words that are gossip.

How much damage and pain can be avoided if we learn to keep our mouths shut in the heat of a moment?

5 Steps to Keeping Your Mouth Shut

1. A wise woman will give herself a time-out.

2. She will hold back her words {Proverbs 17:27-28}. 

3. She will restrain herself with the help of the Holy Spirit living inside her {1 Corinthians 3:16}.

4. She will pray that the words of her mouth and the meditations of her heart will be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord {Psalm 19:14}.

5. Then, and only then, the wise woman will speak - if needed - after she has submitted herself and the situation under the mighty hand of God. The difference in the outcome will be amazing!

Learning to keep my mouth shut has been a journey of growth for me. Sure, there are times I fail miserably at these safeguards listed above. But I'm not where I used to be in this area of my life. Why, I've even been in situations where as I was keeping my mouth shut that God worked the situation out before I had the chance to go back and share my thoughts. God is so faithful when we submit to Him and His leading to keep our mouths shut. I've learned to listen for His voice. That still small voice that whispers to me in the heat of the moment, "Laurie, keep your mouth shut." 

Are you listening for that Voice too? Take these steps I've shared today and apply them the next time you're in a heated situation. 

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

I'm Blogging Through the Bible with Courtney Joseph and other Good Morning Girls! Click on the image below every Friday to read other posts from more sweet friends who are BTTB too!

Each week, I am blessed to be able to link-up with the following awesome blogs. While you're here at Grace-Filled-Moments, please take some time to visit my blogging friends listed below.

Sunday: Raising Samuels Homeschool
Monday: My Joy-Filled Life, Just Another Mom, The Modest Mom, A Life in Balance

Tuesday: F. Dean Hackett ~ Tell It To Me Tuesday, Time-Warp Wife Titus 2sDay, Hip Homeschool Moms
Wednesday: A Little R&R, Messy Marriage, Mom's Morning Coffee, Soul Survivor, Wholehearted Home
Thursday:  Hearts for Home, I Choose Joy, The Evolution of Mom
Friday:  A Divine Encounter, Count My Blessings, Missional Women, Women Living Well, home of Good Morning Girls