Taming Our Tongues

I. We are responsible for what we say.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Many people who say or do wrong tend to blame others. But God will hold us responsible for our choices. Adam tried to blame Eve, Eve tried to blame the Devil. In the end, God laid judgment down on all three involved.

Genesis 3:12-13 NKJV
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

II. Words Can Both Destroy and Bless

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

Gossiping, cursing, name calling, yelling, slander, and falsely accusing others are all examples of how words can destroy someone. Christians are to use their words wisely and gently. Our words are to be a blessing to others and not hurtful.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Our words can play a part in our own destruction.

Proverbs 13:3 NKJV
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 21:23 NKJV
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

III. Only God Can Tame the Tongue.

James 3:8 NKJV
But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Christians must fill themselves with the Word of God so that what they speak is truly holy, just and graceful.

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Many Christians neglect God’s Word and therefore do not have the right words to say when the occasion arises. We must fill ourselves with God’s Word in order for it to come out of our mouths.

Luke 6:45 NKJV
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

IV. God Takes Our Words Seriously.

Matthew 12:36 NKJV
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Believe it or not, God IS listening to EVERY word we say! Christians should pray for  God’s help when we speak.

Psalm 141:3 NKJV
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

God wants us to bless others with our words. As Christians we need to pay attention to what we are saying to others and how it may impact them both spiritual and emotionally. 

Key Verse:
Proverbs 15:1 NKJV
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.