The Wagging Tongue

The young, talented, married pastor with 5 children had developed a fruitful, God-blessed ministry.  But then he yielded to Satan’s temptation and made a very grave mistake.  He kissed the church secretary.  Immediately, he was convicted of his sin.  He apologized to her, asked forgiveness, and then went to apologize to her husband. But it was too late.  Before the day was over, the news of his indiscretion had traveled all over this small town of about 300 inhabitants.  The pastor was told that his ministry was over.  Within the same week, he and his family had moved to another state.

Could that ministry have been saved if the news had not been gossiped all over town?  I don’t know.

The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: “So is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”  (James 3:6) We are playing with fire when we don’t control our tongue.

James had started this epistle with a warning. “If any man among you seem to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith – Amplified Bible), and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1:26)   James would contend that the “Christian” who doesn’t control his tongue is a hypocrite.   His religion is vain. His religious service is worthless.

I would venture to say (without any statistical data to back it up) that more churches have been destroyed by uncontrolled tongues than perhaps any other reason.

Church members often discuss how awful the sins of murder, adultery, stealing, lying, drunkenness, homosexuality, and transgenderism are. But do we realize how awful the sins of the tongue are?  There are multitudes of warnings about this in Scripture.  The entire chapter of James 3 is devoted to this subject.

Consider these warnings: The Bad and the Ugly

Giving a false report: “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”  (Exodus 23:1).

Failing to keep a promise: “That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” (Deuteronomy 23:23).

Talking too much: “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” (Proverbs 13:3).

Speaking Deceitfully: “Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.”   (Jeremiah 9:8).

Gossip: “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:16)   “ A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”  (Proverbs 11:13).  “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” (Proverbs 20:19).

Alienates Friends: “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)

 Dangerous to others: the wicked “whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.”: (Psalm 64:3-4). “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.” (Proverbs 16:27).

Back Talk: “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; “ (Titus 2:9)

Consider these positive admonitions: The Good and the Beautiful

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”  (Proverbs 25:11).

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25).

“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable.” (Proverbs 10:32).

“A soft answer turneth away wrath.”  (Proverbs 15:1)

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23)

“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer.” (Proverbs 15:28).

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.“  (Colossians 4:6).

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”   (Ephesians 5:19-20)

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15).

What should we do with these Scriptures?

As you have probably noticed, most of this article is a collection of verses on this subject.  And there are many, many more verses that I could have used.  God is concerned about our speech.  It is critical to our Christian testimony.

We need to pray this prayer every day from Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”  (Psalm 141:3).

May God help us to honor Him with our speech.