The Power of the Tongue

By: Melissa Baker

So much can be said by what we allow to roll off of our tongue. The tongue is a powerful thing. It can be a weapon of destruction or a tool to encourage and help others. What you decide to use it for is entirely up to you. I have so much to say about this, and so many scriptures that apply to our use of the tongue and what we speak. Believe it or not, there is a time to speak and also a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). We will be talking about both instances today. Lets dig in and see what the Bible says about the use of our tongue.

First let's talk about what SHOULD come out of our mouth. Colossians 4:6 says "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Proverbs  31:26 says "she speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." We should always try to be graceful and helpful in everything we say.  My parents taught me growing up that if I didn't have anything nice to say, that I shouldn't say anything at all. And that is so true! In Proverbs 18:21, it tells us that "the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit." Words are so powerful. That old saying, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me... well, I think that is completely false! Words cut deep. If you are told as a child that you are stupid, chances are, you are going to grow up thinking that you're stupid, even if that is completely not the case. Proverbs 13:3 says that "we should guard our lips and if we speak rashly we will come to ruin." Toby Mac has a song that I am sure most of us have heard, but it's called "Speak Life". It encourages listeners to speak life into bad situations. Be the positive in this extremely negative world. Be an encourager and show the light of Jesus where there seems to be no light in sight.

Now let's talk about what should NOT come out of our mouths. Ephesians 4:29 states "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." In James 3:10, it is made clear that "out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should NOT be." So many times, what we claim to be (christians) and the way we live, does not reflect or match what comes out of our mouth. As christians, we need to think about what we say before we say it, as it can ruin our witness to those who are watching and listening to us. Jesus states in Matthew 15:11 that "what goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." We are also told in Proverbs 21:23 to "watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble." That is an easy concept. We are supposed to watch what we say and not use foul language. Pretty simple, right? For some people, it's not so simple. Our anger can sometimes get the best of us. Our urge to gossip unfortunately can overtake our mouth. Our desire to change or help someone might actually come out as condemning them.

Matthew 12:34 tells us that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. If your heart is full of junk, it will eventually come out of your mouth, exposing the contents of your heart. Each and every one of us will have to give an account for every word we speak (Matthew 12:36). That thought alone should scare the majority of us. It's time as christians, that we take control over our tongue and the words that we speak. Weather you are talking to your child or a perfect stranger, our words should be positive and encouraging, so we can show the love of God. So I encourage you, let's speak life today, and let's be aware of what is coming out of our mouth. Words DO matter!

Have a blessed day!