"Death and life are in the power of the tongue"(Pro.18:21)
A. Loving, wholesome speech has a great effect:
2Chr.10:7 - If thou be kind unto this people...and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants forever
Pro.15:1a - A soft answer turneth away wrath
Pro.15:23 - A word spoken in due season, how good is it
Pro.25:15 - By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone
B. Wise speech is health and life:
Pro.10:11a - The mouth of the righteous man is a well of life
Pro.12:18b - The tongue of the wise is health
Pro.15:4a - A wholesome tongue is a tree of life
Pro.16:24 - Pleasant words are...sweet to the soul, and health
C. Other points on wholesome speech:
Pro.8:6 - The opening of my lips shall be right things
Pro.14:3b - The lips of the wise shall preserve them
Pro.31:26b - In her tongue is the law of kindness
Eccl.10:12a - The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious
Jam.3:2 - If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect (complete, mature) man
(See also Psa.37:30; Pro.10:31; 15:7; 24:26; Mal.2:6,7.)
D. Speaking the right things at the right time:
Pro.10:32a - The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable
Pro.25:11 - A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver
Eccl.8:5b - A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment
E. Speaking encouraging words to strengthen others:
Gen.50:21b - And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them
Deut.3:28a - Encourage him, and strengthen him
Job 4:4 - Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees
Job 16:5 - I would strengthen you with my mouth
Isa.35:3,4 - Strengthen the weak hands...say to them, Be strong
Isa.50:4 - Speak a word in season to him that is weary
F. Speaking and talking about the Lord's Word:
Deut.6:6,7 - Thou shalt talk of (the Word) when thou sittest...when thou walkest...when thou liest down...and risest up
Psa.119:172 - My tongue shall talk of Thy Word
Jn.6:63 - The Words I speak unto you, they are spirit, and...life
Eph.5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and...songs
1Pet.4:11 - If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God
G. Sharing testimonies about the great things God has done:
Psa.9:11 - Sing praises...declare among the people His doings
Psa.35:28 - My tongue shall talk of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long
Psa.66:16 - I will declare what He hath done for my soul
Psa.145:1-7, 10,12,21 - I will speak of...Thy majesty, and of Thy wondrous works...make known to men His mighty acts
Acts 12:17 - He...declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison
(See also Psa.37:30; 40:9,10; 71:17; Isa.12:4.)
H. Have a sense of humour and be able to laugh:
Pro.17:22 - A merry heart doeth good like a medicine (See also Pro.15:13,15)
Psa.126:2 - Then was our mouth filled with laughter (See Job 8:21)
(See also Gen.21:6; Eccl.3:4; 10:19a.)
Eccl.3:7 - [There is] a time to keep silence, and a time to speak
A. The dangers of speaking too much:
Pro.10:19a - In the multitude of words there wanteth (lacks) not sin
Pro.14:23 - In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury (poverty)
B. The wisdom of being slow to speak:
Jam.1:19 - Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak
Pro.18:13 - He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him
Eccl.5:2,6 - Be not rash (hasty) with thy mouth...wherefore should God be angry...and destroy the work of thine hands?
Jn.8:1-9 - [Example of Jesus avoiding being rushed into answering]
C. It is usually wise to speak little:
Pro.17:27 - He that hath knowledge spareth his words
Eccl.5:3b - A fool's voice is known by multitude of words
(See also Mat.5:37)
D. It is often wise not to speak at all:
Job 13:5 - O that ye would altogether hold your peace. And it should be your wisdom
Pro.10:19b - He that refraineth his lips is wise
Pro.11:12b - A man of understanding holdeth his peace
Pro.17:28 - Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth lips is...a man of understanding
Pro.21:23 - Who keepeth...his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles
E. Watch your words:
Psa.39:1b - To...sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me
Psa.141:3 - Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep...my lips
Pro.13:3a - He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life
Mat.12:36 - Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment
F. Keeping secrets:
Pro.11:13 - A talebearer (gossip) revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter
Pro.25:9 - Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover (disclose) not a secret to another
Mic.7:5 - Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom (See also Judg.14:15-17; 16:4-6; 15-21.)
Mat.9:30 - Jesus straitly charged them...See that no man know it
Mat.12:14-16 - (Jesus) charged them they should not make Him known
Mk.1:43-45 - See thou say nothing to any man (See also Mat.8:4a)
Mk.9:9,10 - (Jesus) charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen (See also Mat.17:9; Lk.9:36.)
Lk.8:56 - He charged them that they should tell no man what was done (See also Mk.5:43)
Lk.9:20,21 - He...commanded them to tell no man that thing (See also Mat.16:20)
Acts 23:22 - Tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me
(See also Josh.2:14,20)
G. Learning how to be quiet:
Job 6:24a - Teach me, and I will hold my tongue
1Thes.4:11 - Study to be quiet, and to do [mind] your own business
H. The foolish simply cannot keep their mouth shut:
Pro.15:2b - The mouth of fools poureth forth foolishness
Pro.20:3 - Honour...to cease...but every fool will be meddling
Pro.29:11a - A fool uttereth all his mind
A. An uncontrolled tongue will defile you and others:
Mat.15:11 - That which cometh out of the mouth...defileth a man
Mat.15:18 - Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a man
Jam.3:6 - The tongue is...a world of iniquity...it defileth the whole body
B. A talebearing (gossiping) tongue is a fire:
Jam.3:5,6 - The tongue is a fire...it setteth on fire...and is set on fire of hell
Pro.16:27 - Ungodly man...in his lips there is as a burning fire
C. A slanderous, wicked tongue is deadly poison:
Jam.3:8 - The tongue...is...full of deadly poison
Psa.140:3 - Adders' poison is under their lips
Eccl.10:11 - The serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better
Rom.3:13b - The poison of asps is under their lips
D. A vainbabbling tongue destroys like cancer:
2Tim.2:16,17 - Profane and vain babblings...their word will eat as doth a canker (cancer)
E. A sharp, malicious tongue can inflict deep wounds:
Pro.12:18a - There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword
Pro.25:18 - Man that beareth false witness...is a maul, and a sword
Pro.26:22 - The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts (deep)
F. A malicious tongue destroys and kills:
Pro.11:9a - An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour
Pro.18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Pro.26:28 - A flattering mouth worketh ruin
G. It destroys love and friendship:
Pro.16:28b - A whisperer (gossiper) separateth chief friends
Acts 14:2 - Made their minds evil affected against the brethren
A. Evil speech comes from an evil heart:
Pro.15:2b - The mouth of fools poureth out foolishness
Pro.15:28b - The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things
Mat.12:35b - An evil man out of (heart) bringeth forth evil things
B. Evil, foolish speech corrupts and stinks:
Eccl.10:1 - Dead flies...send forth a stinking...so doth a little folly in him that is in reputation for wisdom
1Cor.15:33 - Evil communications corrupt good manners
C. The perverse (polluted) and froward (defiant) tongue:
Pro.8:13 - The froward (defiant, contrary) mouth do I hate
Pro.15:4 - Perverseness [in a tongue] is a breach in the spirit
Pro.26:18,19 - As a madman who casteth firebrands and death, so is the man that deceiveth...and saith, Am not I (joking)?
D. Foolishness and vain talk leads to mischief and ungodliness:
Pro.14:7 - Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge
Pro.15:14b - The mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness
Eccl.10:13 - The beginning of (his) words...is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness
2Tim.2:16 - Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness
E. An uncontrolled tongue brings disaster:
Psa.109:17-20 - As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him
Pro.10:14b - The mouth of the foolish is near destruction
Pro.10:10b - A prating (idly chattering) fool shall fall
Pro.12:13a - The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips
Pro.13:3b - He that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction
Pro.17:20 - He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief
Pro.18:7 - A fool's mouth...and his lips are the snare of his soul
Eccl.10:12b - The lips of a fool will swallow up himself
A. Refrain from corrupt communication:
Pro.4:24 - Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips
Eph.4:29a - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
Eph.5:4 - Neither filthiness (obscenity), nor foolish talking, nor jesting, but rather giving of thanks
Col.3:8 - Put...filthy communication out of your mouth
1Tim.6:20a - Avoiding profane and vain babblings
B. Speak edifying things, not corrupt:
Eph.4:29 - No corrupt communication....but that which is...edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers
Col.4:6 - Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt
Tit.2:8 - Sound speech, that cannot be condemned
Pro.8:8,9 - All the words of My mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them
(See also Rom.15:2)
C. You can't control your own tongue by yourself:
Jam.3:8 - The tongue can no man tame
D. Only God can, so yield to Him:
Psa.45:1b - My tongue is the pen of a ready writer [the Lord]
Pro.16:1 - The preparations of the heart of man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord
Isa.50:4 - The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I...know how to speak [an encouraging] word
Lk.12:12 - The Holy Ghost shall teach you...what ye ought to say
1Pet.4:11a - If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God
E. Read and obey God's Word, and let it change you:
Psa.119:9 - (How) shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed...to Thy Word
Jn.15:3 - Now ye are clean through the Word
Eph.5:26 - That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word
1Pet.1:22a - Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
(See also Pro.6:20-23and; Heb.10:22.)
A. The Lord forbids you to gossip:
Lev.19:16 - Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer (gossip or slanderer) among thy people: I am the Lord
Exo.23:1a - Thou shalt not raise a false report
Eph.4:31 - Let all...evil speaking, be put away...with all malice
Tit.3:2a - Speak evil of no man
Jam.4:11 - Speak not evil one of another, brethren
1Pet.2:1 - (Lay) aside all malice, and guile...and all evil speakings
B. Warning against backbiting:
Pro.25:9 - Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and [tell] not a secret to another
2Cor.12:20 - I fear...I shall not find you such as I would...lest there be...backbitings, whisperings
C. Gossiping shows a lack of true faith and love:
Pro.10:18 - He that uttereth a slander, is a fool
1Tim.5:11-13 - When they have begun to wax wanton against Christ...they learn to be...tattlers and busybodies
Jam.1:26 - If any man seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue...this man's religion is vain
D. Gossiping is born of hatred:
Psa.38:12 - They that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits
Psa.41:7 - All that hate me whisper together against me
E. Gossiping is of the devil:
1Tim.3:11 - So must their wives be grave, not slanderers [literally: " diabolos ", meaning false accuser, devil]
Rev.12:10 - [The devil,] the accuser of our brethren
A. Scriptural response to backbiters and talebearers:
Tit.1:10,11 - There are many unruly and vain talkers...whose mouths must be stopped
Psa.32:9 - [They] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle
Pro.25:23 - Angry countenance (driveth away) a backbiting tongue
B. Part company with them if they don't change:
Psa.101:5 - [King David said:] Whoso (privately) slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off
Psa.101:7 - He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight
Pro.20:19 - He that goeth about as a talebearer (gossip) revealeth secrets: therefore [have nothing to do] with him
Pro.22:10 - Cast out a scorner, and contention shall go out
Pro.26:20 - Where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth
C. The Lord will judge them:
Mat.12:36,37 - Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment
A. Think about their virtues:
Phi.4:8 - Whatsoever things are...pure...lovely...if there be any virtue...think on these things
(See also Phi.1:3)
B. Remember the blessings for not backbiting:
Psa.15:1,3 - Who shall abide [before God]? He that backbiteth not...nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour
1Pet.3:10 - He that will...see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips (from) guile
Rev.14:5 - In their mouth was...no guile: they are before the throne
C. Make an effort to not speak evil:
Psa.17:3b - I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress
Psa.39:1a - I will take heed...that I sin not with my tongue
Pro.30:32 - If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth [before you speak what you were thinking]
D. Don't even think evil:
Psa.19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight
Eccl.10:20 - Curse not the king, no not in thy thought
Mk.7:21 - For out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts
2Cor.10:5 - Bringing...every thought to the obedience of Christ
E. You can't speak good if your heart is full of evil:
Mat.12:34 - How can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh
F. Beware of hypocritical flattery:
Psa.12:2 - They speak vanity...with flattering lips and double heart
Psa.28:3 - Wicked...speak peace, but mischief is in their hearts
Psa.55:21 - The words of his mouth were smoother than...oil, yet were they drawn swords
Psa.62:4 - They bless with their mouth, but curse inwardly
Pro.26:23 - Burning (fervently agreeing) lips (with) a wicked heart are like (earthenware) covered with silver
Pro.26:25,26 - When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are...abominations in his heart
Ezk.33:31b - With their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness
Mat.7:1 - Judge not, that ye be not judged
Mat.7:2 - With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged
Mat.7:3-5 - Why beholdest the mote...in thy brother's eye, but considerest not beam that is in thine own eye?
Jn.7:24 - Judge not according to appearance...but righteous
Rom.2:1,2 - Thou art inexcusable...wherein thou judgest another...for thou that judgest doest the same things
Rom.2:3 - Thinkest thou...that judgest...and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Rom.14:13a - Let us not therefore judge one another any more
A. Ignore it if you can; don't be offended:
Eccl.7:21,22 - Take no heed unto all words spoken...thine own heart knoweth thou thyself likewise hast cursed others
Psa.119:165 - Great peace have they which love Thy (Word): and nothing shall offend them
B. Don't speak evil of them in return:
1Pet.2:21-23 - Follow (Christ's) steps...Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again (See also Isa.53:7,9)
1Pet.3:9 - Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing
C. Let your good works disprove their lies:
Tit.2:7,8 - Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is...contrary...(have) no evil thing to say of you
1Pet.2:12 - Whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, glorify God
1Pet.2:15 - With well doing...put to silence...foolish men
1Pet.3:16 - Having a good (way of life); that, whereas they speak evil of you...they may be ashamed
D. Jesus remained silent before His accusers:
Isa.53:7 - He was oppressed...yet He opened not His mouth
Mat.27:14 - (Jesus) answered him (Pilate) to never a word
Lk.23:9 - He (Herod) questioned Him (Jesus) in many words; but He answered him nothing
Lk.22:67,68 - [Jesus knew that answering His enemies was pointless]
E. But there are times to speak out and give answer:
Acts 21:40 - [Paul gave his defense to the mob in Jerusalem]
Acts 24:10 - [Paul defended himself from his accusers before Felix]
Acts 26:1 - [Paul's self-defense before Governor Festus and Agrippa]
1Pet.3:15 - Be ready always to give an answer to every man that [sincerely] asketh you a reason
(See also Mat.10:18-20)
A. Avoid getting drawn into arguments:
Pro.17:14 - Leave off contention, before it be meddled with
Pro.26:4 - Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him
Pro.29:11b - A wise man keepeth [his comments] in till afterwards
Phi.2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife
2Tim.2:24 - The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be patient
1Pet.3:9 - Not rendering evil (insult) for (insult), or railing (reviling) for (reviling): but contrariwise blessing
(See also 2Ki.18:36)
B. Listen carefully and think about what you say:
Pro.15:28 - The heart of the righteous studieth to answer
Pro.18:13 - He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him
Jam.1:19 - Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
C. Don't get provoked and answer rashly:
Pro.15:18b - He that is slow to anger appeaseth strife
Pro.16:32 - He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty
Pro.25:8 - Go not forth hastily to strive
Pro.29:20 - Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him
Eccl.5:2 - Be not rash with thy mouth...(nor) hasty to utter any thing...let thy words be few
D. Speak calmly:
Pro.15:1a - A soft answer turneth away wrath
Pro.22:11 - For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend
E. What causes arguments and contention:
Pro.10:12a - Hatred stirreth up strifes
Pro.13:10 - Only by pride cometh contention
Pro.15:1b - Grievous words stir up anger
Pro.15:18a - A wrathful man stirreth up strife
Pro.18:6 - A fool's lips enter into contention
Pro.26:21 - As wood to fire; so a contentious man (kindles) strife
Pro.28:25a - He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife
Pro.29:22 - An angry man stirreth up strife
Acts 13:45 - They were filled with envy, and spake against those things...contradicting and blaspheming
1Tim.6:4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and...words, whereof cometh...strife
Jam.4:1 - Wars and fightings...come..of your lusts
(See also Pro.26:17)
F. The futility of arguing:
Job 6:25 - How forcible are right words! But what doth your arguing reprove?
Pro.9:7,8 - He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself...shame...reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee
Pro.23:9 - Speak not in the ears of a fool: he will despise wisdom
Pro.29:9 - If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he (the foolish man) rage or laugh, there is no rest
G. Ending an argument:
Pro.17:9 - He that covereth (lets pass) a transgression seeketh love
Pro.20:3a - It is an honour for a man to cease from strife
Pro.22:10 - Cast out the scorner, and contention shall...cease
Col.3:13 - Forbearing (putting up with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any
(See also Gen.50:20,21)
H. Warning to those who "love a good argument":
Pro.17:19 - He loveth transgression that loveth strife
1Cor.3:3 - Whereas there is among you...strife....are ye not carnal, and walk as [carnal, worldly] men?
Jam.3:14,15 - If ye have bitter...strife in your hearts, glory not...this wisdom is devilish
I. The bad fruit of arguments:
Psa.106:33 - They provoked his (Moses') spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with this lips
Pro.18:19 - A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city...contentions are like bars of a castle
Acts 15:39 - The contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other
Gal.5:15 - If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another
Jam.3:16 - Where...strife is, there is confusion and every evil work
J. When it is right to contend:
Pro.26:5 - Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit
Pro.28:4 - Such as keep the law contend with (the wicked)
Pro.28:23 - He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth
Acts 15:1,2 - "Except ye be circumcised, ye cannot be saved." Paul...had no small dissension and disputation with them
Jude 3b - Ye should earnestly contend for the faith
K. Humbly explain to, correct and instruct the receptive:
Gal.6:1 - Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness
2Tim.2:25 - In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves (See also Jam.5:20)
1Pet.3:15 - Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason...with meekness
A. God's Word warns us not to lie:
Lev.19:11 - Neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another
Pro.24:28 - Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips
Eph.4:25 - Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour
Col.3:9 - Lie not to one another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds
B. What God thinks about lying:
Pro.12:22a - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord
C. God's judgment on wicked liars:
Psa.63:11b - The mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped
Pro.19:5 - A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape
Pro.19:9 - He that speaketh lies shall perish
Acts 5:1-10 - [Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost and died]
(See also Psa.31:18; 35:11-20; Pro.12:19.)
Special chapter on the tongue: James 3