There is a very popular verse in Psalm 141:3 (KJV) Set a watch (or guard), O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. I’ve heard this quoted, I’ve quoted it myself. If you dig a little you’ll see this verse bleeds into the rest of the Psalm. I would like to focus on one particular part.
David starts Psalm talking about prayer. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:1-2 KJV)
He then says in verse 3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Then he says something interesting in verse 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties (delicacies). What are the wickeds’ delicacies? I believe that the answer is in Psalm 37:12 (KJV) The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. Or as it says in the NET Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them.
The righteous are the delicacies that the wicked consume. They devour the righteous with their words, giving no thought to it. David is asking for a guard at his mouth so that he doesn’t offer up prayer to God and then with the same mouth tear down his brethren. As James would say Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter (James:10-11 KJV)?
We should not be praying to God in one breath and tearing down our brethren with the next. We should instead Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2 NET).
You see it is hard to talk about someone that you are praying for. Let’s pray that God set a guard at our mouths and if we are going to be guilty of talking about our brethren, let it be in prayer to God for them.
Galatians 5:15-16 KJV 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.