Words of Life
The tongue is a powerful thing, as we are taught in James 3:7-8 where it says, “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
We use our tongue to do terrible things. We use it to blame God for our problems and break His commandments. We use it to discourage people. We use it to tell mean or sarcastic jokes.1 We use it for slander and deceit, to lie and to judge, to boast - the list goes on.
So what does the Bible say about how to use our tongues?
1. It says that we will live long and prosper, so to speak, if we keep it from evil2 It also says that it is wiser to hold our tongue rather than speaking many words, yet if we are righteous the words that we do speak will be wise.3
2. The Bible clearly outlines in Proverbs 6:16-17 and 15:4 that our tongues should not utter lies. (For those who would argue that white lies are okay, a white lie is still a lie.) It teaches that “a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit”. That alone should make you want to stay away from lying, but in case it doesn’t, the author of Proverbs also notes that there are seven things that are detestable to the Lord, and one of these things is lying!
3. “Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ ”4 (Jeremiah 23:31) In this verse, God is dealing with the issue of false prophets claiming their dreams and such are the oracles of God. If God hates lies, then He’s clearly even more opposed to lies that pertain to Him!
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” So which will you choose? To speak life to people by encouraging them in Christ, or to send them to their grave with your words?
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1 However, even good jokes when taken too far can end up hurting people, even if one doesn’t notice that’s the reason why they’re hurt. “Humor so sharp you don’t even know you’re bleeding.”
2 Psalm 34:12-13 “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.”
3 Proverbs 10:19 and Psalm 37:30
4The Hebrew word for “declares” in the phrase “the Lord declares” is used only in the Hebrew language to communicate something that comes straight from God Himself. This is the only verse in the entire Bible that uses the Hebrew term with someone other than God.
