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