Whenever I see a picture of the guards in London with their tall plumed hats, white gloved hands, standing as straight and tall as the gun they’re holding, I think of Psalm 141:3. The verse says,
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
The idea here is that the psalmist is asking the Lord to put a guard there before his mouth. I imagine the sentinel standing outside my mouth ready to attack and get rid of anything I would say that would not be fitting; something that would be considered sin. But what are those things that should be “guarded”? How do I know what I should say?
Here are a few questions to ask ourselves before we speak:
- Is it true?
- Is it necessary? (Just because something is true doesn’t necessarily mean we should say it!)
- Is it kind?
- Do I need to say it now?
The psalmist’s prayer should be our prayer. May we be ever mindful of the Guard standing at the door listening to the words we speak!
RefreshHer 