The power of the tongue

We all had regrettable experience when we said something we should not have. James described the tongue as such:

“And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” James 3:6-8

Many cruel things have been said in the name of honesty. This small member is so powerful that a wise man in the bible said that it can bring death or life.

“The tongue can bring death or life;those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21

The words which come out our mouth can save someone or kill that person. It can lift up or drown. Heal or wound. It can even praise God and curse those creatures God created in His image. The tongue, James says, is like a flame of fire set by hell itself. It is an undisciplined member which contaminate the whole body. Like the poison which comes out of the mouth of a serpent, so can words be.

David said:

“They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s; adders’ poison is under their lips.” Ps 140:3

We also have another positive analogy elsewhere in the scripture. For example when the Holy Spirit gave “tongues of fire”.

“Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.”  Acts 2:3

A sword can both kill and defend , so is the tongue.

The bible describes God’s word like a double edge sword (Hebrews 4:12).

^“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

The book of Revelation described Jesus as one who:

“held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1:16

“From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.” Revelation 19:15

Jesus is the perfect man who used His tongue to create. He spoke and things came into existence. He spoke and lepers got healed, sins were forgiven, Lazarus came out of his tomb and the rough sea became still. Jesus is the Master of the tongue. James was right to say that no man can tame the tongue. However, Jesus can tame it because He is the Master of the tongue. Jesus brought life through the word He spoke and the devil brought death to Adam through his deceptive words. The tongue can be a source of blessing and healing for the regenerated man. However, for the unregenerated man or Christians still living in the flesh it can be a fire ignited by hell itself.

Paul said:  ^“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Col 4:6

Let no calumnious, obscene or reproachful; whatever has a tendency to injure the name, fame, or interest of another come out of your mouth. Adam Clarke