Proverbs 18:6

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about our words.  

Proverbs 18:6 (ESV)

A fool's lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites a beating.

Foolish people don't understand and often complain about the pain in their lives.  Because of their foolish actions they are often bruised and battered.   The talk and bring pain into conversations.   Since they don't speak with wisdom the discussions they do have invites strife and incurs strikes.   Solomon's main thought is that the issues of life flow from the heart.   So, a man who does not have God in his heart has evil in it.   The evil comes out through the mouth and across the lips.   And, like bait to a fish, attracts violence and strife.   We can tell when we are talking to a fool because of what comes out of his mouth.   The lips convey the heart.   The fool has to endure his own pain.   He invites it and he deserves it.   But, he should not complain about the blows he earns.   They are well deserved.  David knew this problem, even as a righteous man.  Note what he pens for us in one of his songs:

Psalms 141:3 (ESV Strong's)

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips!

We all need someone to watch over our tongues. Our tongues portray the content of the heart.   Because a fool has said in his heart that there is not God (Psalm 53:1), we know he will speak foolish things and that invites violence and strife in his life.