If you have acted foolishly, exalting yourself, or if you have planned evil, put your hand over your mouth. Proverbs 30:32, TLV
Causality and Casualties! Did you blink past today’s proverb? For years, I sure did. I treated this verse as merely the preface to verse 33: “For as churning milk produces butter, and twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” But really this verse is worth reviewing on its own merits.
Our proverb today fits into what I call “the cause-and-effect theme.” In other words: If you do this, then something will happen as a result. Action and reaction.
Causality can Cause Casualties . . .
Causality is what connects one process to another. Whole academic disciplines can find their basis in cause and effect, physics especially.
Honestly, I believe it’s simply how GOD logically set up the universe. So, of course it shows up in Proverbs, as well as all of Scriptures.
Stay with me . . .
However, what’s different about verse 32 is that the cause produced both an effect and another cause. In fact, the verse doesn’t indicate what the ultimate reaction/effect will be.
What do I mean by this? The act of foolish behavior, pride, or just the intent of “planning evil” will produce a negative reaction within us—not just casualties around us. Imagine how we would react to someone doing the same to us.
Here’s where verse 32 is wonderfully different. It’s the act of placing our hand over our mouth. 
Placing our hand over our mouth stops us from going too far — saying the things that can’t be taken back. Stopping our involvement in foolish or hurtful behavior.
It’s an intentional action to keep us from continuing the foolishness. Like closing the door to an unwanted intruder.
It works . . .
What would cause us to cease the behavior? I’ve had occasions where my tone of voice and/or words wake me up. I hear what and how I’m saying something and realize, “Oh. My. Goodness. Did I just say that?”
Sometimes, the person I’m speaking to reacts and I see what my words or behavior have done. How ever the awareness happens, I believe it is the Holy Spirit convicting me to have a visceral, physical response.
I like this. Because it makes sense. And it gives some insights into how to live the Bible.
Listen, we’re all on the wisdom and faith journey — we haven’t arrived. As much as we want to be perfect in our walk, well, we’re flawed. When we say something offensive or hurtful or prideful or distasteful or disruptive, and the Holy Spirit zaps our heart, what if we put our hand over our mouth? Or bite our tongue or lip?
For sure it will stop us from saying more, but it also gives us the opportunity repent on the spot.
Also, it draws attention to our inappropriate or sinful action. Drawing attention to our sin by our own conduct will cause a response from those around us. Which will make us feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it might train us to not do it again — which is a good thing.
May we “put our hand over our mouth” as soon as possible, my friends.
Think More About It
My friends, how do you “stop the madness?” Bite your tongue or lip? Cover your mouth? Or are you more mature and can simply listen to the Holy Spirit and stop before the words escape and cause harm? Love to hear your thoughts and insights.
This was an uncomfortable blog — at least for me. As always, I love your thoughts, insights, and comments. And if this blog was helpful, please share — it helps my ministry.
