Watch Those Words!

Here we have Proverbs 4:20-24 from the NET Bible

My child, pay attention to my words;
listen attentively to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your sight,
guard them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and healing to one’s entire body.
Guard your heart with all vigilance,
for from it are the sources of life.
Remove perverse speech from your mouth;
keep devious talk far from your lips.

Okay, we’re supposed to listen to his words, and watch our own. More comprehensively, what do we see in terms of:

1. What happened in the text?
2. What do I learn about God?
3. What should I do about it?

1. What happened in the text?
   Uh oh. The writer’s starting to get into it: Listen, and remember…and abandon perverse and devious talk.
2. What do I learn about God?
   He is the source that provides life and healing.
   He doesn’t like perverse speech and devious talk.
3. What should I do about it?
   Watch my words. Man, this is hard. I’m a critical person, and I like to harp on people’s failings. I can be an obnoxious person using harsh and unpleasant talk, as well.
   So, today my job is to actually listen to me, and see how much filtering I need to do.