The Power of the Tongue

According to Einstein’s special Theory of Relativity, an extremely small amount of mass will change into a large amount of energy. If all the atoms in one pound of matter were completely changed into energy, it would release as much power as would the explosion of 10 million short tons of TNT. That is power. But there is a power of another kind that can unleash stupendous consequences. It is that little piece of flesh within the mouth we know as the tongue. This relatively small member of the body has far-reaching power. It can start wars, break up marriages, and induce pain that lasts for a life time. But the tongue is also like a bucket that can bring up the sweet, thirst-slaking waters of godly counsel, relationship-building, and praise to God. Scriptural warnings are therefore abundant. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21). “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Prov. 13:3). “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire” (Jas. 3:5). God has given numerous road signs regarding the use of the tongue for the Christian on his journey through life.

The tongue is not to be used for lying and deception. Satan is the father of lies and is fond of those who participate with him in obscuring the truth (Gen. 3:1; Jn. 8:44). How easily we can slip into a falsehood and then go on our way without a twinge of conscience. There are various ways in which we lie. We can deliberately tell an untruth, exaggerate the truth (“you never do anything right”), create a false impression, misrepresent what someone else has said or done, or make promises that we don’t keep. Our heart’s cry to God should be to make us truth-tellers.

The tongue is not to be used as a substitute for action and or as an instrument of blameshifting (Gen. 3:12, 13; Prov. 14:23). Beware of that feeling that comes when you feel good about yourself because you have merely talked about a problem and have done nothing to solve the problem. Parents, take the time to explain to your four-year-old the ugliness of blaming others for things we are responsible for.

The tongue is not to be used for slander and gossip (Ex. 20:16; Prov. 10:18). Passing along an untruth about another person is an arrow aimed at the heart. Gossip can be so delicious. We can communicate rumors and careless talk and smack our lips when we have finished, thinking that we have rendered some great service to our circle of friends. The tongue can be a deadly weapon. Reputations, confidences, and relationships can be rendered a fatal blow by words that destroy rather than build-up.

The tongue can be used to judge and criticize (Matt. 7:1-5). Have we been willing to find fault with someone else while at the same time refusing to judge our own faults? Do I attempt to change others but am not willing to change myself? Jesus hammers that type of judging that is indifferent to the condition of one’s own sins. He doesn’t forbid all judging. There is a time and place for determining who are spiritual dogs and pigs, but not under the cover of hypocrisy. Ridicule is a first cousin to sinful, destructive judging. Our society is awash in disrespect, insults, contempt, and mockery. Much of our entertainment is at the expense of other people, using the tongue to make fun of people we don’t like. There are many other vices of the tongue, but these are enough to keep us aware of our own potential for verbal homicide.

Let us pull the shade and let the light of the power of the tongue for life flood in. By “life” is meant that whole range of social, personal, moral, and spiritual vitality that comes from God. We are to be fully alive (life as God intended it to be) on the road that we take through life (physical life). We are to praise God with our tongue (Psa. 40:9-10; Jas. 5:13). God-given joy ought to be overflowing in our conversation with others and in our congregational gatherings. When we put our feet on the floor at the beginning of each new day, it ought to be our resolve to tell of the goodness of God before others. Let the tongue be used for prayer (Jas. 5:13; Col. 4:2). Talk with God before we start talking to others. Adoration of God, confession of sin, thanksgiving for God’s blessings, and supplication for our needs and those of others should dance upon our lips with fervency and frequency. Our tongues should be instruments to express the life-giving power of the gospel (1 Pet. 3:15). “O Lord, give me the opportunity to tell someone how Christ is their only hope.”

One of our prayers should be the plea for greater honesty in our speech (Eph. 4:25). We are to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God. We need grace so that our tongues will be used with restraint (Prov. 17:27). This would mean tutoring ourselves in thinking carefully and wisely before we speak. Ask God to make your words calm and faith-building (Prov. 15:1), and disciplined in the keeping of confidences. A life-giving tongue is one that encourages others (Prov. 12:25). Forgiving others, offering wise counsel, and letting kindness flow from our lips is a jug of honey that will sweeten many a life. “Lord, may the power of my tongue be used to exalt your name and garnish the lives of others with the sweet savor of your precious truth.”

Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church