Text: Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Last week we discussed “What are you excuses”. I appreciate God in your life as you let the Word dwell in you richly. Today, we shall focus on the Froward Mouth.

A froward or a forward mouth is a mouth that is not easily controlled (forward and forward are taken to mean the same thing and shall be used interchangeably in this article). Rule your speech. Guard your tongue. Mark your words. After keeping your heart with all diligence, from which come the issues of life, Solomon warned you to reject ungodly speech (Pr 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life). Beginning with the thoughts and intents of the heart, wisdom demands you govern your speech (Pr 4:24), your eyes (Pr 4:25), and your feet (Pr 4:26-27). A forward mouth is an individual that tells lies all the time and one that is always saying bad things about others. A person with a forward mouth is always cursing and is also very proud. People with froward or forward mouths are very common in the church, houses, society and are also very unpleasant to deal with. 

It is impossible to have godly and gracious speech without a pure heart, for the content of the heart supplies the mouth (Matt 12:33-35). You can tell a good heart by kind and holy words, and you can tell a bad heart by harsh or carnal words. Jesus said it; believe it. Kings love the perfect man who speaks graciously from a pure heart (Pr 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend).

This proverb does not warn you to stay away from those with froward mouths and perverse lips, for that advice is given elsewhere (Pr 14:7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips; Pr.19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge; I Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners). It warns you to get rid of your own froward mouth and perverse lips. The context is ruling your own heart, lips, eyes, and feet (Pr 4:23-27), not avoiding others with those sins.

Solomon taught his son and told him to listen and submit to his fatherly instruction (Pr 4:20). He then exhorted him to keep his advice directly before him and firm in his resolve (Pr 4:21). And he encouraged him by saying that it would give him life and health (Pr 4:22). Then in order, he told his son to guard his heart, lips, eyes, and steps (Pr 4:23-27).

A foolish mouth will ruin your reputation (Eccl 5:3, Eccl 10:12-14). An offensive mouth will cause trouble with men (Pr 12:13, Pr 13:3, Pr 14:7, Pr 18:6-7, Pr 22:10, Pr 24:9). And then you will give account of every idle word in the Judgment (Pr 6:16-19, Matt 12:36-37, Eph 5:3-6).

 Kind and wise speech will build your reputation (Pr 15:4, Pr 18:20, Pr 24:26). Appropriate words will enhance your relationship with men (Pr 10:32, Pr 15:23, Pr 16:13, Pr 25:11). And the blessed pleases God with his constructive and helpful words (Pr 12:22, Eph 4:29, Col 4:6).

Improve your speech by cutting your words in half, if you talk more than the average person (Pr 17:27, James 1:19). You then must rule your spirit, for it can kindle a fire from hell (Pr 16:32, James 3:3-8)! And you have to avoid arguments (Pr 26:4-5, II Tim 2:23).

If you keep your heart at peace with the Lord and man, it will be difficult for you to speak harsh or painful things. If you keep your heart pure with the Lord and man, it will be difficult for you to have foolish or carnal speech. If you fill your mind with noble things, you will have precious material for conversation (Phil 4:8). May God guide your tongue. Let your mouth minister grace to the hearer.

God bless you real good.

Deacon Mike Ben

Last week, we looked at “The nature of God’s promises” as part of the series, “God and the Integrity of His promises”. This week, we will conclude the series by looking at “Divine strategies for obtaining God’s promises”. Be blessed as you read.

Part 3: Divine strategies for obtaining God’s promises

Bible Texts: Heb. 6:11-20, Rom. 4:16-22  

• The knowledge of his promises, John 8:32 –And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This is the secret of freedom for sin, sickness and all the curses of this life that Christ died to set men free from. Rom. 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Heb .11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
• Faith in God and His promises. Heb. 4:1-4, 6-12.
• Asking and desiring to see God’s promises fulfilled in your life. Matt. 7:7; Mk 11.24. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
• Patiently waiting for God’s promises. Heb 6:12-15. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Verse 13 – For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Verse 14 – Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee, Verse 15 – And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hab. 2:3 – For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry
• Taking necessary steps. Jam 2:20-26; Gen 12:1-4. At Red sea God asked the Israelites to go forward even when it was obvious that it appear there was no way forward.

Conclusion

His promises are ye and amen. When He promises, He has the wherewithal to fulfil it. God’s word is an oath. It is immutable.

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