1. Zip It!
(Proverbs 21:23), “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”
Note: For any man, the most difficult thing to control is the tongue!
(James 3:2), “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”
The Christian often has control over much of his impulses, and typically refrains from sin
However, the tongue is unruly, and must be reigned in constantly, even for the mature Christian!
(James 3:5-6), “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”
Sometimes, the best thing a child of God can do is “Zip It!” Keep his mouth shut.
Following are some times when a Christian should not open his mouth…
Proverbs 21:23

2. In the heat of anger: “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.”
Among the most common causes for sins of the tongue – speaking in anger!
Proverbs 14:17

3. When you lack all the facts: “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”
Recent example:
A reporter published a story saying that the bust of Martin Luther King Jr. had been removed from the Oval office in the White House
It turns out in the pictures he was looking at, someone was standing in front of the bust
The post led to claims of racism and insensitivity
When the truth was discovered, the embarrassed reporter had to apologize
(Deuteronomy 17:6), “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.”
VERIFICATION is so important before deciding a matter.
For the Christian, it comes when efforts are made to get you to take sides. If you do so without hearing both sides of the matter, you are acting foolishly!
Proverbs 18:13

4. If your words may offend a weak brother: “And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?”
Be careful regarding who you are talking to. Words that would embolden a brother to violate his own conscience are destructive and wrong!
(1 Corinthians 8:9), “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”
1 Corinthians 8:11

5. When you are tempted to joke about sin: “Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor.”
This is a common practice today:
In fact, it makes up the entire routine of many comedians
We laugh, and we become more comfortable with our failings. We make LIGHT of something HEAVY….
Sin is serious… Transgressions of GOD’S will… Worthy of death!
Nothing to laugh about!
Proverbs 14:9

6. If tempted to make light of holy things: “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. for God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.”
Context: When approaching God (vs. 1), “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.”
Verse from Authur Clarke’s Commentary:
“When ye approach his altar, on your lips
Set strictest guard; and let your thoughts be pure,
Fervent, and recollected. Thus prepared,
Send up the silent breathings of your souls,
Submissive to his will.”
Contrast that with the disrespectful and common approaches made to God today!
Ecclesiastes 5:2

7. If the issue is none of your business: “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:10b-11), [Concerning brotherly love] “But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
(1 Peter 4:14-15), “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.”
Proverbs 26:17

8. If you would be ashamed later: “All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them.”
There are many occasions when you say something, and then later regret it!
Want to emphasize here profanity, sexual language, innuendo & other types of filth
What you wouldn’t want to slip in mixed company
What would cause your mother to express disapproval
(Note: A problem with our society is that they have forgotten how to blush! cf. Jeremiah 6:15)
(Jeremiah 6:15), “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the Lord.”
This should not be true, however, with Christians!
(Colossians 3:8), “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”
Proverbs 8:8

9. If you would damage a man’s reputation: “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. 28 A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.”
One who harms another with intent. (i.e. – says it for that very purpose) is an ungodly and perverse man!
Perverse - showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often in spite of the consequences.
A good way to ruin friendships
(Proverbs 17:9), “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.”
Proverbs 16:27-28

10. When you are feeling critical: [an ungodly characteristic of the tongue] “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.”
(Matthew 7:1-5), “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”
James 3:9

11. If you’ve already said it more than once: “A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.”
You don’t want to become a nag. It is a form of contentiousness (Picking a fight).
(Proverbs 15:18), “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.”
Proverbs 19:13

12. When it is time to listen: “A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
Consider: It is never possible to add to your own knowledge when you are talking. You learn by listening!
(James 1:19), “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Proverbs 13:1

13. “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”
We did not exhaust the subject by listing these examples of times when you need to zip your lips!
If your words might reflect poorly upon the Lord or your friends and family (1 Peter 2:21-23)
If you words might convey a false impression (Proverbs 17:27)
If you can’t speak without yelling (Proverbs 25:28)
If you might have to eat your words later! (Proverbs 18:21)
When you are tempted to flatter a wicked person (Proverbs 24:24)
When you are supposed to be working instead. (Proverbs 14:23
Etc.
We need to carefully consider the introductory passage, and heed it (Read Proverbs 21:23)
Proverbs 21:23