Jesus, My Humble Guard

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil”… –Psalm 141:3-4

God is very concerned over the things that come out of our mouth. There are many commands in the scripture that tell us what not to say, and others that tell us what we should say. This text informs us that there is a connection between our mouth and our heart.

The role of a guard seems rather tedious and humble. A guard has been placed there by an authority who wants someone or something guarded but does not have the time, resources, or desire to do it themselves. Psalm 141 is a prayer to God that asks him to be the guard and watcher over our mouths. God delights in this prayer and answers by assuming the role of guard. And the way he answers is by restricting our hearts from inclining toward evil.

Jesus is lowly and humble. He rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey. He also assumes the role of a watch-guard over the bars of our mouths. If he would do such menial tasks as guarding two flaps of skin that cover my teeth, shouldn’t we at least guard our eyes and ears from evil? Shouldn’t we guard our children’s eyes and ears as well? We are to be examples of Christ to the world right?