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Proverbs 21:23
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
23 He that guardeth his mouth and his tongue, Keepeth his soul from troubles. Pro 13:3 resembles this. He guardeth his mouth who does not speak when he does better to be silent; and he guardeth his tongue who says no more than is right and fitting. The troubles comprehend both external and internal evils, hurtful incidents and (נפשׁ) צרות לבב, Psa 25:17; Psa 31:8, i.e., distress of conscience, self-accusation, sorrow on account of the irreparable evil which one occasions.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Pro 13:2-3; Jam 3:6-10).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue,.... Guards the one and bridles the other; is careful of what he says, that it is truth, and without dissimulation and guile; and is not injurious to the characters of men, and is not offensive and provoking; who abstains from ill and wrathful language, and which tends to stir up wrath and contention. Aben Ezra distinguishes between the mouth and tongue, and interprets it, that keeps his mouth from eating, that is, immoderately and intemperately; and his tongue from speaking evil: but it is best to understand both of the same thing, of speech or language, which when a man is careful of, he keepeth his soul from troubles; his conscience clear of guilt and distress, and his person from being concerned in quarrels, contentions, and lawsuits, which such who give their tongues too much liberty are involved in.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God. 2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must keep the mouth by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must keep the tongue also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no corrupt communication. By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble.
Proverbs 21:23
The King’s Heart
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Husbands Love Your Wifes!
By Keith Daniel5.6K1:36:02MarriageSacrificial LoveJOB 31:1PRO 15:23PRO 21:23PRO 31:10MAT 5:11MAT 19:51CO 13:4EPH 5:25COL 3:191PE 3:7Keith Daniel emphasizes the biblical command for husbands to love their wives, drawing from Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:25. He highlights the importance of 'cleaving' to one's spouse, which signifies a deep, committed bond that reflects God's design for marriage. Daniel warns against the dangers of bitterness and urges husbands to honor their wives as the 'weaker vessel,' advocating for a sacrificial love that mirrors Christ's love for the church. He shares personal anecdotes and statistics about the fears of children regarding parental divorce, underscoring the need for strong, loving marriages. Ultimately, he calls for a complete surrender to God, which enables husbands to fulfill their roles with grace and integrity.
The Foremost Proof of Holiness
By Keith Daniel2.7K1:01:23HolinessPRO 18:21PRO 21:23ISA 55:11MAT 12:36EPH 4:29COL 4:6JAS 3:2In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his early days of preaching with great zeal but little wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of having both wisdom and fire in one's faith. The preacher also highlights the significance of controlling one's words and the potential harm that can come from an unruly tongue. He shares a personal story of a man whose wife's bitter and venomous words have caused great pain and destruction in their relationship. The sermon encourages listeners to seek God's guidance in controlling their speech and to understand the power of words in shaping their testimonies and relationships.
A Warning to Would-Be Teachers
By Alistair Begg2.1K33:27WarningPRO 18:21PRO 21:23JER 45:5MAT 6:33EPH 4:29JAS 3:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accountability for those who teach the word of God. He explains that teachers will not only be judged for the content of their teaching, but also for their conduct and motivations. The speaker uses the example of Ezekiel being appointed as a watchman over Israel, highlighting the responsibility to warn others of their sins. He also discusses the challenges faced by teachers and the need for honesty in acknowledging mistakes. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the need for teachers to fulfill their role with clarity, openness, and integrity.
(The Tongue of a Disciple) the Satan Controlled Tongue
By Zac Poonen1.8K58:48PRO 10:19PRO 12:16PRO 14:17PRO 18:7PRO 18:20PRO 21:23EPH 4:26In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of wise and thoughtful speech when delivering God's word. He compares preparing a message to preparing a meal for a special guest, highlighting the need for careful planning and consideration. The speaker criticizes preachers who treat God's people as beggars, hastily putting together messages without thought or effort. He also references several verses from the Bible that emphasize the value of wise speech and the importance of restraining one's words.
Poison From the Tongue
By Erlo Stegen1.6K1:22:18TongueEXO 4:10PSA 103:13PRO 18:21PRO 21:23MAT 12:36EPH 4:29JAS 3:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being cautious about the content we consume, particularly videos. He warns against allowing negative influences into our lives and encourages parents to monitor what their children watch. The preacher urges listeners to expose sin and confront it directly, seeking guidance from God. He also shares a personal story of overcoming anger through prayer and repentance. The sermon concludes with a reminder to reflect on the power of our words and to examine ourselves in light of God's standards.
Taming the Untamable Tongue
By Shane Idleman53137:32PSA 19:14PRO 15:1PRO 18:21PRO 21:23MAT 12:36EPH 4:29COL 4:6JAS 3:1This sermon focuses on the importance of taming the tongue, highlighting the power of words to bring life or destruction, the need for self-discipline and maturity in controlling speech, and the wisdom from above that leads to peace, gentleness, and willingness to yield. The message emphasizes the impact of the tongue on relationships, leadership, and spiritual maturity, urging listeners to align their words with God's truth and seek purity in speech.
The Blessing of Quietness
By J.R. Miller0The Power of SilencePeace in GodPSA 46:10PRO 15:1PRO 17:28PRO 21:23ECC 3:7ISA 30:15PHP 4:71TH 4:11JAS 1:191PE 3:4J.R. Miller emphasizes the profound blessings of quietness, illustrating how it benefits both the individual and those around them. He highlights the biblical wisdom that encourages silence, noting that while speaking has its place, there are times when being quiet is far more valuable. Miller draws on scriptural examples, such as the life of Christ and the teachings of the apostles, to advocate for a quiet spirit and the importance of thoughtful speech. He warns against the dangers of careless words and gossip, urging believers to cultivate a spirit of peace and restraint in their interactions. Ultimately, he concludes that true strength lies in the ability to remain silent in the face of provocation and to find peace in God's presence.
A Matter of Life and Death!
By Theodore Epp0Controlling the TongueThe Power of WordsPSA 19:14PRO 10:19PRO 12:18PRO 15:1PRO 18:21PRO 21:23MAT 12:36EPH 4:29COL 4:6JAS 3:1Theodore Epp emphasizes the profound impact of our words in his sermon 'A Matter of Life and Death!', drawing parallels between fire and the tongue. He illustrates how words can hurt deeply, spread quickly, and consume lives if left unchecked, much like a fire. Epp warns that a single bitter word can lead to irreparable damage, and encourages believers to use their tongues wisely to avoid causing harm to others. He highlights the biblical truth that the power of life and death lies in our speech, urging Christians to be mindful of their words to prevent spreading gossip and negativity.
Kind Listeners
By Frederick William Faber0PRO 15:1PRO 18:13PRO 21:23COL 4:6JAS 1:19Frederick William Faber emphasizes the importance of kind listening and speaking, highlighting how attentive and compassionate listening can lead to gracious and thoughtful speaking. He warns against various negative listening behaviors such as being distracted, interrupting, or making conversations about oneself, stressing the need for gentle and considerate listening as a form of interior mortification. Faber connects kind listening to kind speaking, suggesting that those in positions of authority must practice both to avoid offending God and falling into secret sins.
If Any Man Offend Not in Word, the Same Is a Perfect Man
By A.B. Simpson0Spiritual MaturityThe Power of WordsPSA 19:14PRO 18:21PRO 21:23ECC 3:7MAT 12:37MAT 15:11EPH 4:29COL 4:6JAS 1:261PE 3:10A.B. Simpson emphasizes the profound impact of speech as a defining characteristic of humanity, asserting that the way we communicate reveals our true character. He warns that failing to control one's tongue indicates an unsanctified spirit, while mastering our words signifies spiritual maturity and alignment with the Holy Spirit. Simpson illustrates the consequences of careless speech through the example of Moses, whose unguarded words cost him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land. He concludes that our words have eternal significance, as they can justify or condemn us before God.
Avoiding Idle Talk
By Thomas a Kempis0PRO 21:23EPH 4:29COL 4:61TH 5:11JAS 1:26Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of shunning gossip and worldly discussions, as they often lead to distractions and vanity. He reflects on the regret of engaging in unnecessary conversations that leave a troubled conscience, highlighting the tendency to seek comfort in idle chatter rather than in divine consolation. Kempis encourages the practice of watching, praying, and speaking words that edify, warning against bad habits and indifference that can lead to unguarded speech. He stresses the value of devout conversations on spiritual matters for personal and communal spiritual growth.
Step 11 on Talkativeness and Silence.
By St. John Climacus0PSA 141:3PRO 10:19PRO 17:28PRO 21:23ECC 3:7JAS 1:26St. John Climacus emphasizes the dangers of judgment, the importance of deliberate silence, and the virtues of controlling one's tongue and embracing silence to draw near to God. He highlights how talkativeness leads to various vices and distractions, while deliberate silence fosters prayer, remembrance of death, and contemplation. St. John Climacus also points out that talkativeness often stems from vainglory or other passions, and those who love silence and spiritual mourning are able to overcome it.
Careless Words
By David Wilkerson0AccountabilityThe Power of WordsPSA 19:14PRO 12:18PRO 18:21PRO 21:23MAT 12:36MAT 15:18LUK 6:45EPH 4:29COL 3:8JAS 1:26David Wilkerson emphasizes the weight of our words, warning that every idle word we speak is recorded and will be accounted for on the day of judgment. He shares a personal experience of feeling convicted after gossiping about a minister, realizing that even true words can cause harm and should not be shared without purpose. The sermon highlights the importance of heeding the Holy Spirit's guidance to refrain from speaking negatively about others, as our words have lasting consequences. Wilkerson encourages listeners to acknowledge their sins and seek healing through humility and repentance.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
23 He that guardeth his mouth and his tongue, Keepeth his soul from troubles. Pro 13:3 resembles this. He guardeth his mouth who does not speak when he does better to be silent; and he guardeth his tongue who says no more than is right and fitting. The troubles comprehend both external and internal evils, hurtful incidents and (נפשׁ) צרות לבב, Psa 25:17; Psa 31:8, i.e., distress of conscience, self-accusation, sorrow on account of the irreparable evil which one occasions.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Pro 13:2-3; Jam 3:6-10).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue,.... Guards the one and bridles the other; is careful of what he says, that it is truth, and without dissimulation and guile; and is not injurious to the characters of men, and is not offensive and provoking; who abstains from ill and wrathful language, and which tends to stir up wrath and contention. Aben Ezra distinguishes between the mouth and tongue, and interprets it, that keeps his mouth from eating, that is, immoderately and intemperately; and his tongue from speaking evil: but it is best to understand both of the same thing, of speech or language, which when a man is careful of, he keepeth his soul from troubles; his conscience clear of guilt and distress, and his person from being concerned in quarrels, contentions, and lawsuits, which such who give their tongues too much liberty are involved in.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God. 2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must keep the mouth by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must keep the tongue also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no corrupt communication. By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble.