Loose Lips

We've heard the saying, "Loose lips sink ships", which means that indiscreet words can bring great plans to ruin.

When we look at scriptural references to fools, we find several which describe a fool's words.  In fact, one might say that a fool's words are a primary identifier.  Abraham Lincoln famously said1,
"Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."  Perhaps he was thinking of Proverbs 17:28 (ESV) - -

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Mocking words:  Fools often make fun of God and/or righteous living, making restitution for sin, etc.
Here's just one example from scripture:

Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

Proverbs 14:9 (NLT)

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool (Proverbs 10:23).  Consequently, fools are notorious for giving bad advice, such as that referred to in the verse above.  Don't take advice from anyone whose counsel contradicts the Word of God, whether we are talking about friend-to-friend, or ruler-to-adviser.  God's instructions for walking resplendent with Him are revealed in the Bible, our ultimate measuring rod.  Fools gleefully ignore, deride and dismiss the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 10:6 mentions that fools often end up in high positions of power.  Ascension to a ruling position does not guarantee wisdom.  After all, the god of this world, Satan, is given great latitude by the one, true God to tempt and to generally cause confusion.  King Solomon went on to say earlier in chapter 10 that just a little foolishness goes a long way to stink things up, the way flies will get into your perfume, lay their maggots there and trash it.  Isn't that a nice image?

The bottom line here is this:  who you listen to shapes who you become, who you are.  If you listen to a fool, you may fall for his beguiling lies and become just as foolish as he is.  When we think back to how Satan beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden, he used foolish words, an anti-God, pro-self message.
Because Eve listened to him, she fell for his erroneous words.  It's easy to do.  Foolish advice became a trap for Eve, and she essentially was with God in the Garden every day!

A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 18:7 (ESV)

Fools abound.  Once you've identified one by measuring his words against God's words, run in the other direction so that the fool's words don't become a snare for your soul too.  


Sources:

1   http://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/17/remain-silent/