The tongue has power to do great good or great evil.
“A closed mouth gathers no foot.”
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. —Proverbs 10:19
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. —Proverbs 13:3
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.—Proverbs 18:21
The truth: The tongue has power to do great good or great evil.
“If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” —James 1:26
The negative influence of the tongue can override an otherwise godly life.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. —James 3:1-2
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. —James 3:3-5
For every kind of beast and bird of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. —James 3:7-10
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and saltwater? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. —James 3:11-12
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” —Ephesians 4:29
Examples
Complaining and Arguing
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…” —Philippians 2:14-15
Gossip and Slander
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. —Proverbs 29:19
Lying
Criticism
Wholesome communication - Builds up those that hear it and is helpful for the needs at hand.
Encouragement
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” —Proverbs 25:11
Compliments
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” —Proverbs 12:25
Thanksgiving
Give thanks in all things for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus! —1 Thessalonians 5:18
THINK before you speak
T – is it True?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Inspiring?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?