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Proverbs 12:13
The wicked is snared by the transgression ofhis lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Psalm 39:1
To the chief Musician,even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin
This part of the verse warns against reckless or excessive speech. In the cultural context of the Bible, speech was a primary means of communication and influence, and thus carried significant weight. The phrase "opens his lips" implies speaking without restraint or consideration, which can lead to negative consequences. The term "ruin" suggests destruction or downfall, which can be both personal and communal. This aligns withJames 3:5-6, where the tongue is described as a small part of the body that can cause great harm, like a spark that sets a forest ablaze. The warning here is a call to wisdom, urging individuals to consider the impact of their words and to seek guidance from God in their speech, reflecting the character of Christ, who spoke with authority and grace (Luke 4:22).

• To “guard” is active vigilance—choosing when to speak and when to stay silent (seeProverbs 21:23;Psalm 141:3).

•James 1:19 reinforces this wisdom: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”

• Guarding the mouth begins in the heart (Luke 6:45); when the heart is surrendered to the Lord, speech follows suit.

• Words can inflame conflict or defuse it (Proverbs 15:1). Restraining speech often spares us from quarrels, damaged relationships, even physical danger (Proverbs 17:27–28).

• Life here is holistic—physical safety, emotional well-being, and spiritual health (1 Peter 3:10).

• Jesus emphasized that careless words will be judged (Matthew 12:36), underlining that protecting life includes eternal accountability.

• “Opens” suggests speaking without restraint—blurting, gossiping, venting.Proverbs 10:19 warns, “When words are many, sin is unavoidable.”

• Unchecked talk can betray confidences (Proverbs 11:13), stir strife (Proverbs 16:28), and spread folly (Ecclesiastes 10:12–14).

• This phrase contrasts deliberate self-control with impulsive speech (Proverbs 29:11).

• Ruin can arrive through broken trust, lost reputation, or escalating disputes (Proverbs 18:6–7).

• Words shape our future; reckless speech can sabotage careers, marriages, and ministries (Ephesians 4:29).

• Ultimately, persistent tongue sins reveal a rebellious heart (Matthew 15:18), leading to spiritual devastation if unrepented.

Guarded speech is life-preserving; unbridled chatter is self-destructive.Proverbs 13:3 calls us to intentional, Spirit-led control of our tongues, aligning words with God’s wisdom for our protection and His glory.

Ἡ γλῶσσα πολλοὺς εἰς ὄλεθρον ἤγαγεν.

"The tongue hath many to destruction led." And Ecclus. 28:25, "Weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth. Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait." Buthe that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 10:14). The Vulgate paraphrases, "He who is inconsiderate in speech shall experience evils;" Septuagint, "will terrify himself" - will occasion to himself many terrible alarms and inflictions. Hence the psalmist prays, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my month; keep the door of my lips." So we have in the Danish, "A silent man's words are not brought into court;" and in the Spanish, "Let not the tongue say what the head shall pay for;" while the Italians tell us, "The sheep that bleats is strangled by the wolf:" and "Silence was never written down" (Kelly). (See on Proverbs 18:6; 20:19.)

Parallel Commentaries ...