The Tongue

The Tongue 

by David Brenneman 

"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. 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. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh." James 3:1-12.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21. 

Another way that I saw this passage in Proverbs said was "words are weapons, choose wisely".

In our day and age many marvelous ways and methods have been created to give practically everyone a voice. Deaf people, blind people, those with no ability to physically speak now might have that ability. 

This is not something that is just to be marveled at, but, to be looked at with the perspective that there's much in a heart that wants to come out.  

Many examples exist of those who were unable to speak that, with various electronics, showed the world that they could and not only could but were rather intelligent. 

Intelligence doesn't immediately make one wise. Many millions, if not billions, of intelligent people are in Hell because of rejecting the wisdom God as shown in His creation that points to Himself as their Creator. 

"Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent." Proverbs 17:28. 

"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37.

We either show Christ by our words and conduct or we don't. Our tongue will either show the world that we belong to Christ or show our lack thereof. 

Our ability to speak, by however the means, opens the heart for others to see.

Great wisdom doesn't save anyone. Great wisdom doesn't stop people from sinning.  

The Scriptures say that the wisest of man, Solomon, still sinned in many ways. Wisdom without a right relationship with Jesus Christ lacks everything. 

"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." James 3:6

We can undo a great many wrongs done to others in the physical sense. What we break physically more often than not can be replaced or repaired. When it comes to words...these can have an eternal weight that far surpasses anything we do physically towards ourselves or others.

We can speak words to lift up or to tear down. We can reveal truth or speak lies. We can doubt or we can stand firm. We can confess or stay silent. We reveal our character with our words just as much as our actions.

I can't get past some of my words sometimes. Perhaps the same can be said of you.

Choosing your words is always wise. Once said they cannot be retrieved. 

It's been an amazing time for me to realize new things that I have discovered in reading my Bible. Seeing patterns has been a gift from God for me. Words spoken by various Kings of Judah and Israel revealed their hearts way more than their actions. What's more is the many multitude of times that it's recorded where how much of their hearts were lived in relationship with the Lord. 

What has your tongue said in regards to your relationship with Jesus? Have you confessed Him to be your Lord and Savior? Have you kept silent? Why?

Our tongue is exactly as the Bible says it is. A very powerful tool.  

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.

Paul didn't put value on living life his way. His words spoke to the truth of his heart. 

If it cost him his life to live for Jesus so be it. He knew in whom he believed and was sure of his future in Heaven with Jesus should a day come where it meant his physical life would come to an end. 

What comes forth from your mouth? Does the words you speak tell a story of a life changed by your relationship with Jesus or does it show a life of compromise that makes you seem no different from the world around you?

Our words in prayer take us to the very throne room of Jesus. Our words can shred another human being. Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus sets our hearts in the right direction.  

Pray for yourself and for me if you would that we can have the help of the Spirit of God to properly wield this tongue of ours.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.