Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Monday, September 20, 2021

Theme: SPIRITUAL KEYS TO HAPPINESS

Text: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.’ – Proverbs 21:23.

Comment; One has to be conscious of what one says for careless words backfire on one and bring unhappiness to one’s life. (Proverbs 13:3; 15:4) The abusive words of Shimei became the source of his troubles and, eventually, his death. (2 Samuel 16:5-13; 1 Kings 2:36-46) When the Jews told Pilate: “…His blood be on us, and on our children”, (Matthew 27:25) they never knew it would lead to a situation: when they would say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck”, when they shall “begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us”. (Luke 23:28-30) We should reason well what we say to others and, most importantly, about the work of God for malicious words backfire on one and bring nothing but trouble. (Proverbs 16:23, 24) St. Paul warns: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29. 

 

Words used aright calms crisis situations, even “breaketh the bone” but grievous words stir up anger and muddy the waters the more. (Proverbs 15:1; 25:15) In summary when we use our tongues in a godly manner, we spread peace and happiness among people. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! – Proverbs 15:23.