Proverbs 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. ESV
During my service year, I was privileged to represent my fellowship in Jos as the national delegate for the state where I served.
That was the period when Plateau state boiled because of religious crisis and wanton killing of Christians and burning of churches.
The first time I went to Jos for the national delegate meeting, I got there at night. The whole city was in total darkness and there was curfew at that time. It looked like a ghost town.
Miraculously, I got a cab driver that was willing to go my direction. I didn’t know the place I was going because that was my first time there. This cab driver promised to take me to my destination after dropping others.
After others alighted from the vehicle, I decided to engage this man on issues of religious crisis on the Plateau as he drove me to my destination in the dark on a lonely road.
Out of concern for the body of Christ on the Plateau, I told him the killing of Christians wasn’t fair and barbaric. I spoke passionately in defense of Christians but I noticed he was silent all through the journey.
His silence made me uneasy so I asked if he was a Christian or Muslim. He replied, “I’m a Muslim”. I almost froze in his car. I sealed my lips immediately waiting for the worst to happen because I didn’t know where I was going.
He could have driven me to an unknown destination to be killed. From that very day till date, I’ve learnt to keep sealed lips in public and in other places where a tight rein is expected of me.
Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble“( ESV). The way out of trouble is to keep a sealed lips.
Some troubles can be avoided If we can control our tongue. You can’t identify a fool until he speaks. While he stays mute, everyone thinks he’s wise.
Before you talk, ask if your words will help the other person or set the whole place on fire. Certain things are better left unsaid. Some questions are better left unasked.
Not all conversations or discussions are meant for public hearing. In your life, you must know those whom you discuss certain things with. Also, it is wise to know which question to answer.
Jesus used diplomacy in dealing with the religious leaders of his time. He was careful with words and didn’t answer all questions directly because they were out to trap him with his words.
We all need to pray the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalms 141:3: Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! ESV
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