"If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth." Proverbs 30:32
There are few things more effective and corrective than speaking less and listening more. I remember the library lady at Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, Texas. In the 1960's, she ruled her realm with an iron will, and tolerated no spoken word within her sanctuary of learning. She was old school, but she had it right. Speaking in the presence of so much written knowledge was not only sophomoric, it was moronic.
There is very little learned by talking. Learning thrives by listening, not by exalting oneself with self-inflated puffs of hot air. When Billy Graham preached, he often peppered his messages with, "The Bible says," Too many people, and preachers are not immune from the habit, rely on their own insight, and say much too often, "I think."
At first glance, plotting evil and exalting yourself do not seem to be mutually related. God thinks otherwise. In His view, it is foolish to think of yourself as a wise person by exalting yourself in person.
Self-promotion is, after all, a promotion of self. The Old Testament solution is, "Put your hand on your mouth. In other words, "Stop talking."
The New Testament solution to the pride of life is, "Die to self." The Apostle Paul admitted, "I die daily." These aren't words to live by, but they are words to die for.
Self-promotion and self-denial are mortal enemies. Donald Trump often says of himself, "I'm huge!" His definition of "huge" is a bit unclear, but he has grown so used to self-promotion that he can no longer distinguish between self-inflated success and spiritual significance. He is a man who appears to be most sure of himself, when he is full of himself. Within his Presbyterian Bible are words of correction for all of us, me included. "Put your hand on your mouth."
The "plotted evil" thing is disturbing. God knows what we are capable of doing. Getting our own way, and having our own say leads to an addiction to self-promotion. It drowns out the still small voice of His Spirit offering us direction, protection and correction.
Plotting evil begins by drowning out God's voice and placing an over-inflated value on our own voices. God is always whispering words of wisdom, but when we fall in love with the sound of our own voices, we end of taking the advice of a fool.
NOTE TO SELF: Put a hand on your mouth. Listen to God. He is speaking. Are you listening? Prayer prepares your ears for the silence of the sanctuary. Prayer is not a chance for you to speak to God. It is a time for you to hear from Him. Many times you go to God by getting on your knees. If you haven't heard His voice lately, put your hand on your mouth. When you pray, listen. When you hear from God you can barely see your lips move.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!