He Who Restrains His Words Is Wise

A Christian is a man of few words. One of the things the Holy Spirit will deliver a man from when he is born again (and as he does his sanctifying work in him) is excessive and careless speech. The Holy Spirit’s fruit of self-control extends to speech.

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart, and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

The entire Bible is filled with warnings about careless and excessive speaking. The Master Jesus himself warned that on judgment day, men shall give an account for every idle (careless) word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36-37).

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23

Jesus measured His words.

The Lord Jesus showed us, by His example, how best to use our words. He did not engage in strife of tongues, quarrels, or arguments. He did not engage in empty debates with the Pharisees. When Jesus perceived wrong motives in men, he tended to keep quiet and not answer because he knew it was pointless and would lead to carnal arguments. Jesus did not waste his words; he did not throw his pearls to pigs. When the Pharisees tried to trap him with words, he usually answered them with a question, which resulted in silence.

“But He answered him not one word so that the governor marveled greatly.” Matthew 27:14

The apostle James warns in James 3 that the tongue, though a small member in the body, sets the entire life on a course for hell and destruction. It is a sober warning that the tongue sends many to hell because of what proceeds from it: lies, exaggerations, malice, gossip, backbiting, whisperings, murmurings, curses, and so forth. But a perfect man restrains his tongue (James 3:2). James tells us that man’s mouth is often used for blessing God and cursing men, which should not be for believers in Christ; it is hypocrisy.

“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2

Solomon’s wisdom on the use of words.

Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, spoke much in his sayings about the power of the tongue and words. He says that when words are many, sin is not lacking, and so even a fool appears wise when he is silent (Proverbs 10:19), and a man of knowledge restrains his words (Proverbs 17:27).

“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent and discerning when he holds his tongue.” Proverbs 17:27-28

“In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

Self-restraint in speech

Self-restraint is a fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit-led man controls his speech and becomes quieter by nature. He speaks when he needs to, guided by wisdom. Solomon says the fool utters all his mind, but a wise man restrains himself (Proverbs 29:11).

“Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20

Our adversary, the devil, just as he did with Jesus, will always try to trap us with our words because he knows we shall give account for those words before God. Therefore, we should be slow to speak (James 1:19) and keep our words few (Ecclesiastes 5:2). God hates rash words. Our words can trap us. Hence, Jesus told us to let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be ‘no’ because much speaking is from the evil one (Matthew 5:37).

“Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore, let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2

“For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” 1 Peter 3:10

Prayer:

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3

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