The tongue is a very small member of our body. But it is a very powerful one. There is a saying, “Just like a pen in the hand of a writer so is the tongue in the body of a man”. Words can build up someone or break them down. Words can console someone or stir up anger. Words have the power to bring life as well as death. What we speak with our tongue depends on the life we lead. The bible speaks in many places about taming the tongue, but I’m sure none of us have ever read it. Or even if we have read about it, we have not taken it seriously. So now let us reflect a little about it.
“The tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue – a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth, come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” – James 3:6-10
A physical wound to the body can be healed through medicine, but a hurtful word spoken by someone cannot be taken back and the wound remains. So does the pain. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:21
The words we speak may not matter to us sometimes. But it does matter to God. He keeps a record of all the words we speak. Jesus says, “I tell you, on the day of judgement your will have to give an account for every careless word you utter” – Matthew 12:36. So, “avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene.” – 2 Timothy 2:16-17. Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit.
God does not want us to use our tongue or words as a weapon. He wants us to use our words to bless others. That is why Jesus says, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44.
“Pleasant speech multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.” – Sirach 6:5. “Happy are those who do not blunder with their lips, and need not suffer remorse for sin” – Sirach 14:1. “Some people keep silent and are thought to be wise, while others are detested for being talkative. Some people keep silent because they have nothing to say, while others keep silent because they know when to speak. The wise remain silent until the right moment but a boasting fool misses the right moment.” – Sirach 20:5-7.
My dear brothers and sisters, we need to pray before we speak. We need to speak words, of encouragement and comfort. We need to ask forgiveness for every wrong word that is spoken. Let our prayer be like King David, “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” – Psalm 120:2.
It is only Jesus Christ who can give us the strength and courage to change. Let us at all times pray for mercy for every wrong word spoken and for grace for the Holy Spirit; as the Word says, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.” – Luke 12:12
God Bless us all. Praise the Lord.
