Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3)

Growing up playing Pop Warner Football, we were always required to wear mouth guards on the field to reduce the risk of dental injuries (although I would use the same mouth guard for an entire season, which was probably unhealthy in itself, given the bacteria they collect). However, there is another mouth guard that all of us should make use of every day.

Unlike the sports mouth guard, this one doesn’t protect what might go into the mouth but from what comes out of it. Our Lord Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) In Psalm 141, King David is praying for protection from the harmful things that spring from the heart and come out of the mouth.

In a very real sense, you are known by your words. Socrates was known to say to a student, “Speak friend, that I may see you.” How a person speaks forms a major part of what we think of them. Words reflect what’s in the heart. Knowing the importance of our words should motivate us to pray David’s prayer. Yet, on a practical level, there are some things we can do to avoid harmful communication.

1. Remember you are responsible for your words.

Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) How often we say things without thinking, speaking rashly without any regard for how our words may affect another person. We do well to remember that those same words may be rehearsed back to us on judgment day along with the revelation of the damage they caused.

How a person speaks forms a major part of what we think of them. Words reflect what’s in the heart.

2. Remember honesty is always the best policy.

As Christians we should be very concerned for the integrity of our words. The ninth commandment basically says, “tell the truth.” Dr. Leonard Keilor invented the polygraph machine and initially tested 25,000 people. His conclusion was that human beings are naturally deceptive.

James Patterson and Peter Kim wrote a book entitled, The Day America Told the Truth, and according to their research, 91 percent of Americans admit to lying on a regular basis. Purpose to be a man who speaks truth regardless of the consequence. Yet, speak it gently and with love.

3. Resolve to speak words that edify.

Words can exert great influence. The Bible says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Proverbs 18:21) This reminds me of what Will Rogers once said, “Keep your words soft and sweet--you never know when you’ll have to eat them.” Don’t allow your emotions to provoke saying something you’ll regret later. Rather, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:6)

4. Restrict the amount of words you use.

Think of words as money and talking too much as wasteful spending. And just as it’s wise to save money, it’s also a sign of wisdom to restrict our words. Solomon wrote, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19) We could save ourselves a lot of trouble by avoiding saying too much. “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23)

5. Give your heart to Jesus daily.

James 3 reveals the hard truths of the human tongue. Using very vivid language and images to emphasize the deadly potential of words, he states that we are unable to tame our tongues. Only by daily surrendering our hearts to the Lord can its power be controlled.

Tonight, I’ll be watching a football game and will most likely notice what players use mouth guards and what players do not. I encourage you to do the same the next time you watch. I also hope we’ll all, by the grace of God, pray David’s prayer for a mouth guard and never go out into the field of life without it.