As the apostle James put it, "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man." (James 3:7)(NIV) But there is something we cannot tame. All of us have trouble getting a little thing called the tongue under control. "It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8)(NIV)
What muscle is stronger than the tongue? "The boneless tongue, so small and weak, can crush and kill," declared the Greek.
What muscle is stronger than the tongue? "The boneless tongue, so small and weak, can crush and kill," declared the Greek.
The writer of Proverbs describes an unwise person as "one who speaks like the piercings of a sword" Proverbs 12:18. By our words, people are either built up or torn down. Words shape our character, our outlook of life, and even our futures. Sunlight has its source from the sun, and words spring up out of our heart. Jesus says in Mark 7:21, "For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come."
"The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:23-24
We please the Lord with our tongue when we show discernment. "He who restrains his lips is wise," Proverbs 10:19 reminds us. "When we do speak, we are to filter the words that escape our lips: "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23)
The tongue, that is, the words it speaks, have power to build up and power to destroy. Both the power of death and of life, as the writer of Proverbs put it. And the Lord Jesus himself warns us:
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof, in the day judgement.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof, in the day judgement.
