The tongue holds great power for both good and harm, capable of building up or tearing down with its words. The Bible offers guidance on taming the tongue, speaking life, and using our words to edify and bless others. Let’s explore the verses that underscore the importance of guarding our speech and using it wisely for God’s glory.
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Bible Verses About The Tongue
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
This verse emphasizes the tremendous power that our words possess. Our tongue can either give life, encouragement, and healing, or it can bring death, destruction, and harm. The way we speak has a direct impact on our relationships and our own well-being. It reminds us to be mindful of our words and the impact they can have on others.
James 3:5
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
This verse uses the analogy of a small spark setting a whole forest on fire to illustrate the power of the tongue. Although the tongue is a small part of our body, it has the potential to cause immense damage. It urges us to be cautious with our words and recognize the influence they can have, even when spoken casually or thoughtlessly.
Proverbs 15:4
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
This verse highlights the impact of our words on both ourselves and others. A soothing and uplifting tongue has the ability to bring life, comfort, and healing to others. On the other hand, a perverse and deceitful tongue can crush someone’s spirit, causing pain and discouragement. It emphasizes the importance of using our words to build others up and bring positivity into their lives.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse teaches us the power of our responses in diffusing conflicts. Responding to anger or hostility with gentleness and kindness can defuse tense situations and promote reconciliation. However, responding with harsh words only escalates anger and prolongs negative emotions. It reminds us to exercise self-control and choose our words wisely, especially in challenging interactions.
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
This verse highlights the importance of exercising self-control over our speech. By guarding our mouths and being deliberate in our choice of words, we can prevent unnecessary problems and difficulties. It serves as a reminder that our words have consequences, and by being mindful of what we say, we can avoid many avoidable mishaps and misunderstandings.
Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
This verse instructs us to refrain from speaking evil and spreading falsehoods. It encourages us to be people of integrity, speaking truth and promoting goodness with our words. By aligning our speech with righteousness, we honor God and contribute to a more harmonious and loving community.
Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
This verse serves as a sobering reminder of our accountability for our speech. It reminds us that even our seemingly insignificant or careless words carry weight and will be judged. It compels us to be mindful of the impact of our words and to strive for words that are true, edifying, and bring glory to God.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
This verse highlights the power of gracious and kind words to bring comfort and healing. Just as honey is pleasing to the taste buds, gracious words are like sweet nectar that nourishes the soul and promotes well-being. It encourages us to be intentional about speaking words of encouragement, love, and affirmation to uplift and bless others.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
This verse encourages us to cultivate a speech that is characterized by grace and wisdom. By choosing our words carefully and seasoning them with salt – meaning they are tasteful, wise, and seasoned with love – we can effectively communicate with others. It reminds us that our speech should reflect the character of Christ and be a source of guidance and encouragement to those around us.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse draws a sharp contrast between the effect of reckless words and wise words. Reckless words, spoken without thought or consideration, can wound and cause harm similar to a piercing sword. Conversely, wise words, spoken with wisdom and love, have the power to bring healing and restoration. It reminds us to choose our words wisely, as they hold the potential to either hurt or heal.
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
This verse admonishes us to avoid speaking words that are unwholesome or harmful. Instead, it encourages us to speak in ways that build others up and meet their needs. It reminds us of the power our words have to influence and impact others, and encourages us to use our speech as a means of love, encouragement, and support.
James 1:26
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
This verse cautions against religious hypocrisy and emphasizes the need for self-control over our speech. It reminds us that true devotion to God is not merely expressed in words, but also in our actions and the way we communicate. It urges us to evaluate the genuineness of our faith based on our ability to control our tongue and speak in a manner that glorifies God.
Matthew 15:18
“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”
This verse highlights the connection between our words and the condition of our hearts. It emphasizes that our speech reflects what is in our hearts, and that corrupt or hurtful speech reveals a heart that needs transformation. It reminds us to examine our hearts and seek God’s help in purifying our thoughts and words so that they align with His will.
Psalm 19:14
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
This verse serves as a prayer, expressing the desire for both our spoken words and our inner thoughts to be pleasing to God. It recognizes God as our Rock and Redeemer, acknowledging His authority over our speech. It reminds us to seek God’s guidance in our communication, asking Him to help us align our words with His perfect will.
Ephesians 5:4
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
This verse reminds us to avoid using profanity, engaging in foolish talk, or participating in coarse humor. Such speech is contrary to the godly virtues of purity and thankfulness that believers are called to embody. It encourages us to choose words that uplift, honor, and reflect the gratitude we have toward God and others.
Proverbs 17:27
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
This verse highlights the wisdom of using our words thoughtfully and exercising self-control in our speech. It suggests that those who possess knowledge and understanding are more likely to speak with restraint and remain even-tempered. It reminds us that wisdom and understanding are fundamental in using our words wisely and maintaining healthy relationships.
Matthew 5:37
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
This verse encourages honesty and integrity in our speech. It reminds us to be people of our word, speaking truthfully without the need for unnecessary embellishment or deception. It emphasizes the importance of simplicity and truthfulness in our communication and serves as a reminder to avoid engaging in manipulative or dishonest speech.
Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
This verse is a prayer asking God for His guidance and help in controlling our speech. It acknowledges our human vulnerability to speak unwholesome or harmful words and asks God to act as a protector, guarding our mouths and lips. It reminds us of our dependence on God to help us choose words that build others up and honor Him.
Proverbs 10:19
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
This verse highlights the wisdom of exercising restraint in our speech. It warns against the dangers of excessive talking and reminds us that speaking impulsively or without thought can lead to sin. It encourages us to be prudent, using discernment and wisdom in deciding when to speak and when to remain silent.
Proverbs 13:3
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and discretion in our speech. It encourages us to guard our lips, evaluating the consequences of our words before speaking. By exercising wisdom and prudence in our communication, we preserve our own well-being and avoid the destruction that can come from hasty or reckless speech.
1 Peter 3:10
“For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
This verse teaches that a fulfilling and abundant life is interconnected with the way we use our words. It emphasizes the need to refrain from speaking evil or engaging in deceitful speech. By choosing honesty, integrity, and love in our communication, we contribute to a life that is pleasing to God and experience the blessings that come from living in alignment with His will.
Proverbs 25:11
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”
This verse illustrates the beauty and impact of timely, wise, and well-spoken words. Just as golden apples presented in silver settings are precious and valuable, words that are spoken in the right circumstances hold great worth. It reminds us of the significance of choosing our words carefully and considering the timing and context in which they are spoken.
James 3:8
“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
This verse acknowledges the innate difficulty in controlling the tongue and the potential harm that can result from uncontrolled speech. It emphasizes the need for God’s help and guidance in taming our tongues. It reminds us of the ongoing struggle we may face in managing our speech, serving as a humble reminder of our constant need for God’s transforming power in our lives.
Psalm 141:4
“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.”
This verse acknowledges the connection between the condition of our hearts and our speech. It is a prayer asking God to guard our hearts against evil and to prevent us from engaging in wicked deeds or participating in the harmful speech of those around us. It reflects the desire to be led by God’s righteousness and to resist the influence of sinful words or actions.
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
This verse reinforces the importance of exercising self-control over our speech. By being cautious with our words and refraining from saying things that could cause harm or create problems, we can prevent unnecessary calamity in our lives. It serves as a reminder of the power our words hold and the responsibility we have to use them wisely and responsibly.
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
This verse highlights the connection between the fear of the Lord and our attitude toward speech. It teaches that reverence for God involves hating evil, including pride, arrogance, and perverse speech. It reminds us of the importance of aligning our speech with God’s values and striving for words that bring honor to Him and promote His righteousness.