"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Your Words
God’s words, as preserved in the Bible, are always honest and can be trusted (Prov. 30:15). Our words, however, are not always truthful and cannot always be trusted. All sin with their mouth.
“Word” is used at least 704 times in the King James Bible. Although most of those times it is referring to God’s Word, we can see by the many references that words are important to God. Some of those verses show us what God thinks about what comes out of our mouth.
In Romans 1, where at least 30 sins are mentioned, at least fifteen of those sins involve what was said. Some of the iniquities mentioned are those of: unthankfulness, debating, deceitfulness, gossiping, backbiting, pride, boasting, disobedience to parents, and covenant-breaking. Although there are over 100 commandments in the Old Testament, the popularly known “Ten” include at least three commandments that can involve our tongue. It should be evident to all that our tongue can be used for good, or it can be used to sin.
Here is some of what the Bible says about the words that can come out of our mouth:
- Many sins are with the tongue. Our tongue can be behind some of our sin.
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And 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 3:5-6
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: ....“ Isa. 6:5
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 30:5
“And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:32
“For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.” Job 15:5
“Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.” Psalms 52:2
“Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:” Psalms 64:3
“They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.” Psalms 73:9
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” Proverbs 15:2
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.” Proverbs 21:6
“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” Proverbs 26:28
Also: Psalms 15:3, Proverbs 6:17, Pr. 18:21, Pr. 17:4. - Be careful what the tongue says. It can, and should, be controlled!
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Psalms 34:13
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2
“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” Job 6:24
Also: Job 27:4, Proverbs 10:31, I Peter 3:10 - We will be accountable for every word we say!
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36
“The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:” Psalms 12:3
“For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” Psalms 139:4
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.” James 1:26
There were times when Jesus, our example, knew to say nothing. Sometimes it would be best if we took His example and said nothing in certain situations.
“And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” Matthew 27:14 - The tongue can be used for good.
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
“And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” Psalms 35:28
“The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.” Proverbs 10:20
Also: I Timothy 4:12, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 14:15 - There will be a time when we all speak what God wants us to speak. Use it for His glory now.
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11
Like the rest of our body, our tongue was part of God’s creation. Its creation was not intended for us to use it to sin against our Creator. A saved person should strive to control what is uttered by his tongue. Some of the best advice for those desiring to please God and wanting to control their tongue comes from the old adage, “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything”.
This lesson was featured in The Bible View #227.