THE TAMING OF THE TONGUE

James says that men have tamed all manner of wild beasts, but cannot tame the tongue (see James 3:1-12).  That is no excuse for careless conversation, however, for the Spirit can sanctify our speech.  God’s grace can transform our talk. Our words can hurt or heal; they can bless or blast. Proverbs has much to say on this topic.  We will consider a few verses in chapter 15.

1.  ANGER CAN BE EXTINGUISHED OR INFLAMED BY OUR SPEECH, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” (v.1) Our tongue will be like a bucket of water or gasoline.

2.  OUR WORDS CAN BE CAREFULLY CHOSEN TO SHARE WISDOM OR WE CAN UNLEASH A FLOOD OF FOOLISHNESS.  “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” (v.2). “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” (v.28). An old axiom is, “Better to remain silent and let others think you stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!”

3.  WORDS CAN HEAL OR HARM. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (v.4). “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.” (v.30) Negative talk is hurtful, while positive speech is healing. 

4.  WORDS CAN BE WISE OR WICKED.  “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.” (v.7). The doctor looks at your tongue because it reveals much about what is going on inside you. 

5. PRODUCTIVE TALK SPOKEN AT THE PRECISE TIME BLESSES BOTH THE HEARER AND THE SPEAKER. “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (v.23). So we must think before we speak about the who, when, and what of our words.

6.  OUR WORDS COME FROM THE WELL OF OUR THOUGHTS AND GOD EVALUATES BOTH.  “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.” (v.26). If the well of our thoughts is polluted, our speech will be, but on the other hand if our thoughts are pure, our speech will be pleasant.

You can use your tongue to curse men or bless their Maker.  What will you do today?