Proverbs 13:3 tells us, “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything”. How many of us know that often what comes out of our mouths “traps” us? It might be a great idea to work on how much we complain about our present situation, how often we criticize people around us, or even really try better to not gossip or lie. However, there is a HUGE step we can take prior to working on what comes out of our mouths. Try shutting the trap more often. Have you ever thought about how lowering the number of our words could affect most all conflicts and disagreements? How proficient are we at being quiet, even when we think we might be right? When we practice shutting our traps, even when we are right, relationships change for the better. The bottom line is that our relationships must be more important than our being right. Even when we win an argument, the relationship as a whole loses. So, let me encourage you today; shut the trap and begin seeing how the relationships around you will benefit when being ‘right with each other’ is more important than being ‘right at each other’. And for those who think that talking less is impossible, be encouraged by Solomon’s words in Proverbs 17:28. “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues”. Stay Close to Jesus! – Pastor Bryce
