The Power of the Tongue
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
1. THE POWER OF POSITIVE SPEECH:
A. Loving, wholesome speech has a great effect:
2 Chronicles 10:7 If thou be kind unto this people … and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants forever
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath
Proverbs 15:23 A word spoken in due season, how good is it
Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
B. Wise speech is health and life:
Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life
Proverbs 12:18 The tongue of the wise is health
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are … sweet to the soul, and health
C. Other points on wholesome speech:
Proverbs 8:6 The opening of my lips shall be right things
Proverbs 14:3 The lips of the wise shall preserve them
Proverbs 31:26 In her tongue is the law of kindness
Ecclesiastes 10:12 If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect [complete, mature] man
(See also Psalm 37:30; Proverbs 10:31; 15:7; 24:26; Malachi 2:6–7.)
D. Speaking of the right things at the right time:
Proverbs 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver
Ecclesiastes 8:5 A wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgement
E. Speaking encouraging words to strengthen others:
Genesis 50:21 And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them
Deuteronomy 3:28 Encourage him, and strengthen him
Job 4:4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees
Job 16:5 I would strengthen you with my mouth
Isaiah 35:3–4 Strengthen the weak hands … say to them, be strong
Isaiah 50:4 Speak a word in season to him that is weary
F. Talking about God’s Word:
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 Thou shalt talk of [the word] when thou sittest … when thou walkest … when thou liest down … and risest up
Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall talk of thy word
John 6:63 The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and … life
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and … songs
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God
G. Sharing testimonies about the great things God has done:
Psalm 9:11 Sing praises … declare among the people his doings
Psalm 35:28 My tongue shall talk of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long
Psalm 66:16 I will declare what he hath done for my soul
Psalm 145:1–7,10,12,21 I will speak of … thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works … make known to men his mighty acts
Acts 12:17 He … declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison
(See also Psalm 37:30; 40:9–10; 71:17; Isaiah 12:4.)
H. Have a sense of humour and be able to laugh:
Psalm 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter (See also Job 8:21.)
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine (See also Proverbs 15:13,15.)
(See also Genesis 21:6; Ecclesiastes 3:4; 10:19.)
2. Silence and restrained speech:
Ecclesiastes 3:7 [There is] a time to keep silence, and a time to speak
A. The dangers of speaking too much:
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth [lacks] not sin
Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury
B. The wisdom of being slow to speak:
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him
Ecclesiastes 5:2,6 Be not rash [hasty] with thy mouth … wherefore should God be angry … and destroy the work of thine hands?
John 8:1–9 [Example of Jesus avoiding being rushed into answering]
James 1:19 Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak
C. It can be wise to speak little:
Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words
Ecclesiastes 5:3 A fool’s voice is known by multitude of words (See also Matthew 5:37.)
D. It is often wise not to speak at all:
Job 13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace. And it should be your wisdom
Proverbs 10:19 He that refraineth his lips is wise
Proverbs 11:12 A man of understanding holdeth his peace
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth lips is … a man of understanding
Proverbs 21:23 Who keepeth … his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles
E. Watch your words:
Psalm 39:1 To … sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me
Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep … my lips.
Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life
Matthew 12:36 Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement
F. Keeping secrets:
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer [gossip] revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter
Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover [disclose] not a secret to another
Micah 7:5 Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom (See also Judges 14:15–17; 16:4–6,15–21.)
Matthew 9:30 Jesus straitly charged them … see that no man know it
Matthew 12:14–16 [Jesus] charged them they should not make him known
Mark 1:43–45 See thou say nothing to any man (See also Matthew 8:4.)
Mark 9:9–10 [Jesus] charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen (See also Matthew 17:9; Luke 9:36.)
Luke 8:56 He charged them that they should tell no man what was done (See also Mark 5:43.)
Luke 9:20–21 He … commanded them to tell no man that thing (See also Matthew 16:20.)
Acts 23:22 Tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me
(See also Joshua 2:14,20.)
G. Learning how to be quiet:
Job 6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue
1 Thessalonians 4:11 Study to be quiet, and to do [mind] your own business
H. The foolish simply cannot keep their mouth shut:
Proverbs 15:2 The mouth of fools poureth forth foolishness
Proverbs 20:3 Honour … to cease … but every fool will be meddling
Proverbs 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind
3. THE DAMAGE AN UNCONTROLLED TONGUE WILL DO:
A. An uncontrolled tongue will defile you and others:
Matthew 15:11 That which cometh out of the mouth … defileth a man
Matthew 15:18 Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a man
James 3:6 The tongue is … a world of iniquity … it defileth the whole body
B. A gossiping tongue is a fire:
Proverbs 16:27 Ungodly man … in his lips there is as a burning fire
James 3:5–6 The tongue is a fire … it setteth on fire … and is set on fire of hell
C. A slanderous, wicked tongue is a deadly poison:
Psalm 140:3 Adders’ poison is under their lips
Ecclesiastes 10:11 The serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better
Romans 3:13 The poison of asps is under their lips
James 3:8 The tongue … is … full of deadly poison
D. A sharp tongue can inflict deep wounds:
Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword
Proverbs 25:18 Man that beareth false witness … is a maul, and a sword
Proverbs 26:22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts
E. A malicious tongue destroys and kills:
Proverbs 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Proverbs 26:28 A flattering mouth worketh ruin
F. It destroys love and friendship:
Proverbs 16:28 A whisperer [gossiper] separateth chief friends
Acts 14:2 Made their minds evil affected against the brethren
4. FOOLISH AND EVIL SPEECH:
A. Evil speech comes from an evil heart:
Proverbs 15:2 The mouth of fools poureth out foolishness
Proverbs 15:28 The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things
Matthew 12:35 An evil man out of [his heart] bringeth forth evil things
B. Evil, foolish speech corrupts:
Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies … send forth a stinking … so doth a little folly in him that is in reputation for wisdom
1 Corinthians 15:33 Evil communications corrupt good manners
C. The perverse and contrary tongue:
Proverbs 8:13 The froward [contrary] mouth do I hate
Proverbs 15:4 Perverseness [in a tongue] is a breach in the spirit
Proverbs 26:18–19 As a madman who casteth firebrands and death, so is the man that deceiveth … and saith, am not I [joking]?
D. Foolishness and vain talk leads to mischief and ungodliness:
Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge
Proverbs 15:14 The mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness
Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of [his] words … is foolishness
2 Timothy 2:16 Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness
E. An uncontrolled tongue brings disaster:
Psalm 109:17–20 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him
Proverbs 10:10 A prating [idly chattering] fool shall fall
Proverbs 10:14 The mouth of the foolish is near destruction
Proverbs 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips
Proverbs 13:3 He that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction
Proverbs 17:20 He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief
Proverbs 18:7 A fool’s mouth … and his lips are the snare of his soul
Ecclesiastes 10:12 The lips of a fool will swallow up himself
5. CONTROLLING YOUR TONGUE:
A. Refrain from corrupt communication:
Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness [obscenity], nor foolish talking, nor jesting, but rather giving of thanks
Colossians 3:8 Put … filthy communication out of your mouth
1 Timothy 6:20 Avoiding profane and vain babblings
B. Speak edifying things, not corrupt:
Proverbs 8:8–9 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them
Ephesians 4:29 No corrupt communication … but that which is … edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt
Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned
(See also Romans 15:2.)
C. You can’t control your own tongue by yourself:
James 3:8 The tongue can no man tame
D. Only God can, so yield to Him:
Psalm 45:1 My tongue is the pen of a ready writer [God]
Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart of man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I … know how to speak [an encouraging] word
Luke 12:12 The Holy Ghost shall teach you … what ye ought to say
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God
E. Read and obey God’s Word, and let it change you:
Psalm 119:9 [How] shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed … to thy word
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word
1 Peter 1:22 Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
(See also Proverbs 6:20–23; Hebrews 10:22.)
6. GOSSIPING, BACKBITING, AND SLANDERING:
A. God forbids you to gossip:
Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report
Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: I am the Lord
Ephesians 4:31 Let all … evil speaking, be put away … with all malice
Titus 3:2 Speak evil of no man
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren
1 Peter 2:1 [Lay] aside all malice, and guile … and all evil speakings
B. Warning against backbiting:
Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and [tell] not a secret to another
2 Corinthians 12:20 I fear … I shall not find you such as I would … lest there be … backbitings, whisperings
C. Gossiping shows a lack of true faith and love:
Proverbs 10:18 He that uttereth a slander, is a fool
1 Timothy 5:11–13 When they have begun to wax wanton against Christ … they learn to be … tattlers and busybodies
James 1:26 If any man seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue … this man’s religion is vain
D. Gossiping is born of hatred:
Psalm 38:12 They that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits
Psalm 41:7 All that hate me whisper together against me
E. Gossiping is of the Devil:
1 Timothy 3:11 So must their wives be grave, not slanderers [literally: “diabolos,” meaning false accuser, devil]
Revelation 12:10 The accuser of our brethren [the Devil]
7. THE PUNISHMENT FOR GOSSIPING:
A. Scriptural response to backbiters and talebearers:
Psalm 32:9 [They] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle
Proverbs 25:23 Angry countenance [driveth away] a backbiting tongue
Titus 1:10–11 There are many unruly and vain talkers … whose mouths must be stopped
B. Part company with them if they don’t change:
Psalm 101:5 [King David said:] Whoso [privately] slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off
Psalm 101:7 He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight
Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore [have nothing to do] with him
Proverbs 22:10 Cast out a scorner, and contention shall go out
Proverbs 26:20 Where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth
C. God will judge them:
Matthew 12:36–37 Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement
8. HOW TO AVOID CRITICIZING AND GOSSIPING:
A. Think about others’ virtues:
Philippians 4:8 Whatsoever things are … pure … lovely … if there be any virtue … think on these things
(See also Philippians 1:3.)
B. Remember the blessings for not backbiting:
Psalm 15:1,3 Who shall abide [before God]? He that backbiteth not … nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour
1 Peter 3:10 He that will … see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips [from] guile
Revelation 14:5 In their mouth was … no guile: they are before the throne
C. Make an effort to not speak evil:
Psalm 17:3 I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress
Psalm 39:1 I will take heed … that I sin not with my tongue
Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth [before you speak what you were thinking]
D. Don’t even think evil:
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight
Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought
Mark 7:21 For out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts
2 Corinthians 10:5 Bringing … every thought to the obedience of Christ
E. You can’t speak good if your heart is full of evil:
Matthew 12:34 How can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh
F. Beware of hypocritical flattery:
Psalm 12:2 They speak vanity … with flattering lips and double heart
Psalm 28:3 Wicked … speak peace, but mischief is in their hearts
Psalm 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than … oil, yet were they drawn swords
Psalm 62:4 They bless with their mouth, but curse inwardly
Proverbs 26:23 Burning [fervently agreeing] lips [with] a wicked heart are like [earthenware] covered with silver
Proverbs 26:25–26 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are … abominations in his heart
Ezekiel 33:31 With their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness
9. WARNING AGAINST JUDGING OTHERS:
Matthew 7:1–5 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged … Why beholdest thou the mote … in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam … in thine own eye?
John 7:24 Judge not according to appearance … but righteous
Romans 2:1 Thou art inexcusable … wherein thou judgest another … for thou that judgest doest the same things
Romans 2:3 Thinkest thou … that judgest … and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more
10. WHAT TO DO WHEN OTHERS SPEAK EVIL OF YOU:
A. Ignore it if you can; don’t be offended:
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love Thy [word]: and nothing shall offend them
Ecclesiastes 7:21–22 Take no heed unto all words spoken … thine own heart knoweth thou thyself likewise hast cursed others
B. Don’t speak evil of them in return:
1 Peter 2:21–23 Follow [Christ’s] steps … who, when he was reviled, reviled not again (See also Isaiah 53:7,9.)
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing
C. Let your good works disprove their lies:
Titus 2:7–8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is … contrary [have] no evil thing to say of you
1 Peter 2:12 Whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, glorify God
1 Peter 2:15 With well doing … put to silence … foolish men
1 Peter 3:16 Having a good [way of life]; that, whereas they speak evil of you … they may be ashamed
D. Jesus remained silent before His accusers:
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed … yet he opened not his mouth
Matthew 27:14 [Jesus] answered him [Pilate] to never a word
Luke 22:67–68 [Jesus knew that to answer His enemies was pointless]
Luke 23:9 He [Herod] questioned him [Jesus] in many words; but he answered him nothing
E. But there are times to speak out and answer:
Acts 21:40 [Paul gave his defense to the mob in Jerusalem]
Acts 24:10 [Paul defended himself before Felix]
Acts 26:1 [Paul’s self-defense before Festus and Agrippa]
1 Peter 3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason
(See also Matthew 10:18–20.)
11. ARGUMENTS AND CONTENTIONS:
A. Avoid getting drawn into arguments:
Proverbs 17:14 Leave off contention, before it be meddled with
Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him
Proverbs 29:11 A wise man keepeth [his comments] in till afterwards
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife
2 Timothy 2:24 The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be patient
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil [insult] for [insult], or railing [reviling] for [reviling]: but contrariwise blessing
(See also 2 Kings 18:36.)
B. Listen carefully, and think about what you say:
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him
James 1:19 Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
C. Don’t get provoked and answer rashly:
Proverbs 15:18 He that is slow to anger appeaseth strife
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty
Proverbs 25:8 Go not forth hastily to strive
Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth [nor] hasty to utter any thing … let thy words be few
D. Speak calmly:
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath
Proverbs 22:11 For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend
E. What causes arguments and contention:
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes
Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention
Proverbs 15:1 Grievous words stir up anger
Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife
Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips enter into contention
Proverbs 26:21 As wood to fire; so a contentious man [kindles] strife
Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife
Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife
Acts 13:45 They were filled with envy, and spake against those things … contradicting and blaspheming
1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and … words, whereof cometh … strife
James 4:1 Wars and fightings … come … of your lusts
(See also Proverbs 26:17.)
F. The futility of arguing:
Job 6:25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Proverbs 9:7–8 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself … shame … reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee
Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: he will despise wisdom
Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he [the foolish man] rage or laugh, there is no rest
G. Ending an argument:
Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth [lets pass] a transgression seeketh love
Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife
Proverbs 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall … cease
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing [putting up with] one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any
(See also Genesis 50:20–21.)
H. Warning to those who “love a good argument”:
Proverbs 17:9 He loveth transgression that loveth strife
1 Corinthians 3:3 Whereas there is among you … strife … are you not carnal, and walk as [carnal, worldly] men?
James 3:14–15 If ye have bitter … strife in your hearts, glory not … this wisdom is devilish
I. The bad fruit of arguments:
Psalm 106:33 They provoked his [Moses’] spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city … contentions are like bars of a castle
Acts 15:39 The contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other
Galatians 5:15 If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another
James 3:16 Where … strife is, there is confusion and every evil work
J. When it is right to contend:
Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit
Proverbs 28:4 Such as keep the law contend with [the wicked]
Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth
Acts 15:1–2 Paul … had no small dissension and disputation with them
Jude 1:3 Ye should earnestly contend for the faith
K. Humbly explain, correct, and instruct:
Galatians 6:1 Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves
(See also James 5:20.)
1 Peter 3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason … with meekness
12. LYING, DECEIVING, AND BEARING FALSE WITNESS:
A. God’s Word warns us not to lie:
Leviticus 19:11 Neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another
Proverbs 24:28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips
Ephesians 4:25 Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour
Colossians 3:9 Lie not to one another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds
B. What God thinks about lying:
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord
C. God’s judgement on wicked liars:
Psalm 63:11 The mouth of the them that speak lies shall be stopped
Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape
Proverbs 19:9 He that speaketh lies shall perish
Acts 5:1–10 [Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost and died]
(See also Psalm 31:18; 35:11–20; Proverbs 12:19.)
Special chapter about the tongue: James 3