Weekend Worship - The Power Of The Tongue

If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell....But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison....From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. (James 3.2-6, 8 ,10)

There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6.16-19)

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, but inwardly he sets an ambush for him. (Jeremiah 9.8)

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear....Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Ephesians 4.29, 31)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15.1)

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another. (1 Thessalonians 5.11)

I'm not sure that anything else really needs to be said, but I just want to stress the importance of our words. With a single phrase, we can either encourage the heart of another or crush their spirit. We can build up or tear down. We can tell rumors and lies or speak the truth in love. We can glorify our Lord or dishonor Him with our words.

The choice of what we say is a choice we make at every moment of every day. Let us be sure that we are honoring the Lord in all we do. He hears all. And we will be accountable for every word we utter.