The tongue is an incredible instrument. Think of all that it does. It helps with speaking, swallowing, breathing, and tasting. Imagine what your life would be like if you didn’t have a tongue! This incredible little instrument is a blessing given to us by our creator. He created you with a tongue that you might enjoy the world he has made, have times of laughter and joy with your friends and family, declare the goodness of God in the land of the living, and many other joyous things.

James was right, the tongue is a little vessel with lots of power.¹ Isn’t it sad then, that we take this incredible gift and use it for evil? We were given it to bless God, but instead we use it to blaspheme his name. We were given it to enjoy fellowship with one another, but instead we use it to destroy through gossip and slander. It seems preposterous and yet, as with all things, sin causes us to take the gifts of God and use them for works of evil.

How are you using your tongue? How easy it is for us to let our tongue wag like a dog. The book of Proverbs have a lot to say on the matter. I think it would serve all of us well to spend time meditating upon the Lord’s wisdom on a consistent matter. Let us consider some apt words from the wisdom of God.

Proverbs 16:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
When you speak, do people tend to calm down, or get irritated? How often do your works de-esculate a situation, rather than adding fuel to the fire? Whenever a friend, colleague, or family member is upset, consider how a gentle word might help.

Proverbs 16:4, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
Do your words build up the people around you, causing them to grow and flourish, or do your words tear down? When a friend is downcast and lowly, do your gentle words of kindness bring life to his weary heart? Consider how your words can bring healing.

Proverbs 16:28, “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”
Isn’t it true that we often just let the mouth run? How often do you stop and think about what you are going to say before you actually say it? I know silence feels awkward in a conversation, however, a pause before answering goes a long way to prevent evil!

Proverbs 26:20, “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
When people are gossiping, slandering, or maligning around us, does it stop or grow with us? The quickest way to put an end to such evil language is to say nothing. If someone at church comes and gossips, just close your mouth and say nothing!

Proverbs 26:28, “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
The truth held back is love held back. To speak with lies and flattery ultimately lead to the destruction of everyone around you. The truth must be maintained at all costs. How often we fail to do this. Speak the truth and leave the results to God.

May these proverbs fuel our faithfulness with our tongues.

1. James 3:5 ↩︎