Watch Your Mouth!

The tongue is a very interesting organ. We use it to taste our food, to eat and to aid in digestion. We use it to show our dislike for something or someone as we stick it out. We can use it to lick stamps or an envelope. We use it to tell our friends how much we love them, and then use it to gossip about them behind their backs. We use it to sing songs of praise to God on Sunday and to utter curse words with our buddies on Monday. We use it to uplift a person and to tear them down. We use it to pray to God and slander fellow Christians.

A word can accomplish nearly anything and everything. Some were told that they were worthless and would never amount to anything, and they believed it. Some were told they were ugly and have lived as an ugly person ever since. Some were gossiped about or lied to, and now they don’t trust anyone. But then there are those who have risen to incredible heights because someone believed in them when no one else did. Words of encouragement gave them the confidence they so desperately needed. There are some who have great security and confidence because someone has never forgotten to tell them and show them that they are loved. Some of us have heard the words, “I forgive you,” and it has made all the difference. Words can create us and they can destroy us. The tongue is vital, but it’s also volatile.

Peter confidently told the Lord, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you” (Matt. 26:35). And with the very same tongue He denied Jesus with oaths and cursing (Matt. 26:69-75). James says that the “tongue is a fire.” Fire can be used to bring warmth and to cook food. Fire can be used for some good things. But used in the wrong way, it can cause immeasurable pain, even death. For the same organ to produce both good and bad, righteous and unrighteous speech, is inconsistent at best and sinful at worst. Christians are commanded to bless and not curse. Paul says so in Romans 12:14, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” To praise God and curse men with the very same tongue is contrary to the nature and character of a Christian. James drives this point home in verses 11 and 12 of James Chapter 3:

“Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.”

The answer to all of these rhetorical questions that James' asks is, of course, “No!” The reason being is because it would defy their very nature. And the same reasoning applies to the Christian.

My friends, we need to get control of our tongues. We need to be fully aware of the power our tongue has—both for good and for evil. We need recognize the devastation that is caused when we lie, gossip, slander, are overly critical, rude, mean-spirited, condescending, insulting, etc. We may not can change the world, but let’s work on changing our little part of the world. Let’s make certain that we are using our tongue for all the right reasons. Let’s make sure we our affirming who we are by the things that we say!


“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psa. 19:14).