Jesus Gave the Ultimate example of these three ideals when he gave his life. He was accused by those he came to save, yet did not defend himself. Instead he prayed for them. Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

     I have this horrible feeling that grows up inside of me when things are not going MY way. Usually my first reaction is to defend myself (get things started in the way I think they should go). Usually it makes things worse and I lose friends or they just don't want to be around it. When it comes to losing friends, my mouth is my worst enemy. The Bible says plenty about the mouth: Mar 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. Mar 15:5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. What a PERFECT example of Affection, Regard and Esteem! Some other Scripture that has been dealing with me is in the book of Proverbs.

Pro 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Pro 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. Pro 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Pro 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Pro 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. Pro 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. Pro 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. Pro 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. Pro 11:11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. Pro 12:6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. Pro 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. Pro 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Pro 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. Pro 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Pro 15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. Pro 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! Pro 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Pro 18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. Pro 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Pro 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. Pro 20:17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Pro 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. Pro 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Pro 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

     As a new practice in our home, we have set out some good Scripture to Pray over each night to help guide our mouths. We have categorized  them into three Types: Helps, Praise and the other ones (Scriptures that describe what we don't want to be like). You've seen the latter in the first set of Verses from Proverbs above. The Second (Praiseful) is the Second set of Verses above. The last would be the HELPFUL Verses:

Psalm 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 34:1 <A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.> I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. Psalm 39:1 <To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.> I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Psalm 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.  Psalm 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Psalm 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: Psalm 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Psalm 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. Psalm 89:1 <Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.> I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

     Back to the subject: Pro 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Be sure to do the hard work of a FRIEND. It is not to be an expectation that they should do what's right, but it is our OBLIGATION. Don't wait for them to come begging for your forgiveness: Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 1Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. Phm 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 1Jn 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.