The Tongue

As kids, most of us learned a little saying: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That’s one of the craziest sayings I know. Sticks and stones may break our bones and hurt us physically. But words are much more hurtful emotionally and they leave longer and deeper scars.

I have met many people through the year that have influenced negatively by words that we passed down to them by someone else. Many times a totally messed up life is because people do some stupid stuff and made some stupid decisions. Often when this is the case they grew up in a home where a parent called them stupid. Words have a powerful impact on the people around us—for better or for worse. So it’s no wonder the Bible talks so much about the tongue.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”

Proverbs 12:18 says, “A reckless word pierces like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

“A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit”—Proverbs 15:4

“A gentle tongue can break a bone”—Proverbs 25:15

“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver”—Proverbs 10:20

One of the most insightful verses in Scripture is Matthew 12:34. Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Jesus was saying that words are clues. They reveal our thoughts and feelings. They reveal who we are. Words are clues.

In some respects, controlling our tongue is one of our greatest challenges.  James 3:2 says, “We all make mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.”

Challenge: Set a guard over your mouth and only speak what God has already said about you and your life.