The Bible is full of wisdom about how to live our lives, ranging from how to treat others to how to use our words. In the Bible, the tongue is a symbol of the power of our speech and the importance of using it wisely. While the Bible has many verses that teach us the power of words, there are a few verses specifically about the tongue.
In James 3:3-5, it says, “We put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we can turn their whole body. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.” This is a powerful image that speaks to the power of our words. No matter how small, words have consequences and can cause great destruction.
In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus says, “And I tell you this, that you must give account on the day of judgment for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” This passage speaks to the idea that our words matter and we will be held accountable for the things we say.
Proverbs 15:4 says, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” This verse speaks to the power of our words to both encourage and destroy.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Verses such as this one remind us of the power of words and the importance of using them wisely.
Finally, in James 1:26, it says, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” This speaks to the fact that the way we talk reflects our true character and our commitment to God and his teachings.
Examples of Good Use of The Tongue
The Bible has plenty of examples of people who used their tongues wisely and spoke only words of truth and kindness. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon is seen as an example of wise speech and understanding. He often speaks in maxims, such as “kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”. He also shares the importance of discretion in our speech and shows how to use words to bring about healing and understanding. Additionally, Jesus is a great example of the power of words to bring about peace and understanding. His teachings are full of wisdom and compassion, showing us how to use our words to bring life to those around us.
Attitudes and Habits Of Good Speech
The Bible teaches us that there are certain attitudes and habits of good speech that we should strive for. One of the most important is to demonstrate love in our speech, as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” We must also strive to use our words to speak truth and make peace, rather than to spread gossip or strife. As Proverbs 17:9 states, “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Finally, it is important to strive to use our words to build up and encourage others, as written in Proverbs 16:24, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Governing Our Speech
Following these attitudes and habits should help us to govern our speech and use it for good. We must remember that words have consequences, so it is important to ensure that our words are coming from a place of love and understanding. To do this, we must fill our hearts and minds with God’s word and his teachings, so that we can use our tongues only for good.
The Power of Prayer
Finally, it is important to remember the power of prayer in our speech. We are often tempted to use our tongues in ways that are not beneficial, but prayer can help us to stay disciplined and resist this temptation. In Psalm 141:3, it says, “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Praying this prayer can help to keep us mindful of our words and ensure that they are honoring to God.
Using Our Speech To Uplift
In summary, the Bible is clear about the power of the tongue and the importance of using it wisely. It encourages us to use our words to build up, encourage, and love those around us. It reminds us of the power of prayer to maintain discipline in our speech and help us stay focused on using our words to bring life to those around us. Ultimately, it is up to us as individuals to use our words in a godly way that is beneficial to others.
Using Our Speech to Honor and Glorify God
The Bible also teaches us that our words should not only be used to benefit others, but also to honor and glorify God. By living our lives in a way that brings glory to God, and using our words to give him praise, we can demonstrate our commitment to him. In Colossians 4:6, it says “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” This verse shows us the importance of being intentional in our words and of being mindful of God’s presence in all of our conversations.
Using Our Speech to Lift Others Up
Finally, the Bible teaches us to use our words to lift up and support others. In Romans 12:15, it says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This passage speaks to the importance of using our words to give comfort and to bring healing to those around us. Additionally, in Philippians 2:3-4, it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This passage speaks to the importance of using our words to lift up and serve others, rather than ourselves.
