The Use of the Tongue

 

 

Central Thought: Wholesome use of the tongue is a measure of spiritual maturity.

 

Hymn: “Take My Life and Let It BE”

Text: James 3:1-13; Psalm 34:12-13

 

 

The tongue is a very important part of the body, situated in the mouth. It is a very small fleshy muscular organ that facilitates speech among other things.  When properly used, it brings blessings to the speaker and the hearer but when used wrongly, it can result in death, destruction, bitter envying and strife, clamor and wars, etc.

However, it is important to note that what comes out of a man depends on what he harbors in his heart because the Bible says, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”, Luke 6:45. If the heart of an individual is filled with the word of God, the Holy spirit will undue him with godly wisdom that will enable him to control his tongue and “speak with grace”; have “sound speech that cannot be condemned”, Colossians 4:6; Titus 2:8.  “If a man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle his whole body”, James 3:2.  Wrong use of the tongue can cause a lot of problems to an individual in the home, neighborhood, and community and even in a local church.

The Bible says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”, Proverbs 18:21. For this reason, every believer is encouraged to make wholesome use of the tongue so as to have graceful speech seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6; in order to avoid bitterness, clamor and in-fighting in a local church, James 4:1:2; Ephesians 4:31.

 

 

Lesson Objectives:

1. To know what the tongue is.
2. To appreciate what the Bible teaches concerning the use of the tongue.
3. To know how to exercise control over the tongue.
4. To know the consequences of wrong use of the tongue.
5. To appreciate the benefits of proper use of the tongue.

 

1. What is the tongue?

The tongue is that fleshy muscular organ in the mouth that can be used for tasting, licking, swallowing and speaking. Although the tongue is a small member of the body, it can cause an enormous irreparable damage.  If not properly used, it is full of wickedness, which can poison every other member of the body.

In James 3:5-6, the Holy Bible describes the tongue as a little member of the body, which makes great boasts. It is also described as “a fire”, “a world of iniquity” that can defile the whole body, and set on fire the course of nature and “it is set on fire of hell”, James 3:6.  This implies that though the tongue is a little member of the body, it can destroy the life of an individual, cause bitterness among brethren, wars and fighting among nations, or even cause confusion and strife in a local church if not carefully guarded.

However, the tongue can only say what is in the heart. It mirrors the heart.  When the heart is richly endowed with the word of God and Spirit-filled, the wisdom from above will help the believer to tame his or her tongue and have “sound speech that cannot be condemned.”  Every believer is therefore encouraged to fill his or her heart with the word of God and dwell on spiritual things.

 

2. What does the Bible teach us concerning the use of the tongue?

Our utterances mirror what we have in our hearts because “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”, Luke 6:45. If our hearts are richly endowed with the word of God and Spirit-filled, the wisdom from above will help us in taming our tongues and “speak as the oracles of God”, 1 Peter 4:11.  “If a man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body”, James 3:2.

The Bible admonishes the believer not to curse with the same mouth he or she uses in blessing God, since it is not possible for fresh water and salt water to flow from the same source and cursing is of the devil. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so be.   Doth a fountain sends forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  James 3:10-11.

The bible also teaches us not to judge others that we be not judged, Matthew 7:1-7; 1 Corinthians 4:5; James 4:11-12. Therefore, “judge not and ye shall not be Judged”, by the Almighty God, Luke 6:37.

Nevertheless, the Lord Jesus supports “righteous judgement”, John 7:24. We can admonish, warn, reprove, rebuke and exhort anyone with the tongue.  Apostle Paul says in Titus 1:13, “rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith.”  Proverbs 28:23 says, “He that rebuketh a man afterward shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.”  Besides, an “open rebuke is better than secret love”, Proverbs 27:5.  Rather than speak evil of others, the believer is admonished to proclaim God’s righteousness, psalm 35:28, 119:172, speak on behalf of justice, Psalm 37:30, sing in praise of God, Psalm 150:1-5, evangelize and confess Christ, Mark 16:15; Philippians 2:11, speak the truth at all times and speak words of encouragement, Proverbs 12:17; John 14:16, etc.

 

3. How can a believer exercise control over his tongue?

“For every king of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison”, James 3:7-8. These verses of Scripture imply that though man has succeeded in taming every beast and snake of the field, birds of the air and every fish in the sea, he has been unable to tame the tongue.  The individual who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Savior can exercise control over his tongue as well as other members of his body.

The believer who is swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath can hardly err in words: and will be able to keep his tongue from speaking evil and deceit, James 1:19; Psalm 34:13; 1 Peter 3:10. Also, when the believer walks in the Spirit and allow himself to be led by the Spirit of God, Galatians 5:16-18, he knows how to speak with grace without offending God or man.  He will know when to speak and when to be silent, Ecclesiastes 3:7.  Furthermore, when a man is yielded to God, all the members of his body (including the tongue) will become instruments of righteousness unto Him, Romans 6:13-14, 7:6.

A yielded and a Spirit-filled believer will definitely know how to control his tongue so as not to offend God or hurt man.

 

4. What are the consequences of wrong use of the tongue?

Wrong use of the tongue manifests in many forms which include backbiting, gossiping, tale-bearing, singing unholy songs, slandering, false witnessing/false accusation, vain/idle talking, lying, cursing, etc. When the tongue is uncontrolled, it is restless and an unruly evil, full of deadly poison, James 3:8, it can ruin the life of an individual, breakup friendships, defile the body and make an individual imperfect.  The wrong use of the tongue causes bitter envying, strife and lying against the truth, James 3:14.  This can result in division or schisms in fellowship groups or denominations.  The Bible says: “…and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”, Revelation 21:8.  Also, the backbiters, tale-bearers, false-accusers, slanderers, etc., will not inherit the kingdom of God, unless they repent of their sins and turn to God.

 

5. What are the benefits of proper use of the tongue?

There are many benefits that can be derived from proper use of the tongue. First and foremost, anyone who desires long life, goodness and prosperity should keep his or her tongue from speaking evil and lies, let him or her turn from evil and do good, Psalm 34:12-12. Also, the individual who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself from troubles, Proverbs 21:23.  The Holy Bible says: “The lip of truth shall be established forever”, Proverbs 12:19, and that “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life”, Proverbs 15:4.  If any man is able to refrain his tongue from speaking evil and does not offend in words, the same is a perfect man, James 3:2.  This he can do when he is fully yielded to the Holy Spirit.  Also, he is able to make graceful speeches that are seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6.

Above all, the individual who is able to control his tongue and refrain his lips from speaking guile will not only see good days but have long life and eternal salvation.

 

 

Daily Living Application:

The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit there of”, Proverbs 18:21.  This implies that the tongue is powerful though a little member of the body.  It can make alive and it can kill.  This is why the Bible admonishes the believer to refrain from evil speaking and cursing since these do not portray godly character.  Rather, the believer is admonished to speak the truth in love, speak on behalf of justice, proclaim God’s righteousness, evangelize and confess Christ always.

 

Memory Verse:

1 Peter 3:10 – “For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that thee speak no guile.”