Volume 2 Issue 2 April 1996
by Rick Christian
The Bible is filled with instruction on the use of our tongue. In the book of Proverbs alone, there are 152 references to something pertaining to the tongue. This indicates just how much the Holy Spirit, through the book of wisdom, believes needs to be said about the tongue.
Daniel Webster said, "If all my talents and powers were to be taken from me, and I had my choice of keeping but one, I would unhesitatingly ask to be allowed to keep the power of speaking, for through it I would quickly recover all the rest" (p.53; Life With Wings). How tremendous it is that God has given us the ability to communicate, to speak. Yet, of all the blessings granted us by God, this one is probably misused more than all the others put together. We must be reminded of Jesus's words in Matthew 12:36,37- "And I say unto you that every idle (worthless, meaningless. r.c.) word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
James chapter three is very descriptive of our tongue. Our tongue is described as "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). Like a wild beast continually moving up and down in his cage, resisting as far as possible all restraint. How easy it is at times to let words pour forth and yet we should realize these venomous words are compared to deadly poison. Those who would never physically kill, but will by their tongue gossip and slander destroy many a good reputation.
James also describes the tongue as a fire (3:6). The pain it inflicts and the destruction which attends it. Small member, the tongue, yet can destroy an individual, families, and whole congregations (Proverbs 26:18-25). This tongue could be contained by proper love, prayer and self control with the constant help from Almighty God.
James compares the tongue as a horses bit (3:3). A horse, though large, is controlled by this bit. James 1:26-"if any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain."
James compares the tongue to a ships rudder (3:4). To exercise rule and control over our tongue we control our entire body (Ref: James 3:6b). One cannot even tame the tongue! (James 3:8). Does that mean we can't control it? No, it simply means we can't leave it alone! We must constantly be attentive to what we are saying, have said, and are going to say! We must care about what we communicate!
Many sins are committed by the tongue: PROFANITY (Leviticus 19:12); LYING (Eph. 4:25, Colossians 3:8-9); GOSSIP {A lot of folks have defended themselves in this sin by stating that "Gossip is passing on untrue facts. What I'm saying is completely right." Well, the dictionary may defend this but God does not! Any passing on of some knowledge about another without the purpose of building them up in love, is to damage that person's influence. It could even be the cause of that person losing their soul!} (Ps. 101:5); BACKBITING (Romans 1:18-32); MURMURING (I Corinthians 10:10); SLANDER (Prov. 10:18; James 4:11); CRITICISM, CONSTANT FAULT FINDING, UNJUST CRITICISM (Matthew 7:1-5; 2 Corinthians 8:20). Constant criticism can destroy confidence in the one who is the recipient. There have been some congregations which have lost their influence in their area because of members constantly criticizing the congregation which they are a member. These are a few of the sins listed in Gods word concerning the tongue.
Friends, we may be guilty of allowing some of these sins by not taking the opportunity to stop them. People at times may be too willing to listen. One preachers wife informed one who wanted to gossip to call back when her husband was home so he could hear these things and then take you with him to these people so these problems could be corrected. Guess what? Subject changed. She was not willing to listen by her affirmative action! (Proverbs 18:8-"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.") We should rebuke, gently those who seek to misuse their tongue. Proverbs 28:23-"He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue." By walking away we give no sounding board for the one misusing the tongue to speak to. Proverbs 20:19-"He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." If we could just develop the first Christian grace, virtue (moral courage), to send those who have something to say about others to the individual they have the "concern" about we would accomplish a great deal in helping an individual keep from misusing their tongue. (Matthew 18:15-18)
The misuse of the tongue is not just a problem with the women, it is a mankind problem. Preachers and elders are often the worst culprits and offenders in this particular category of sins. This is hypocrisy. (I Peter 2:1,2).
Sadly, at times, at lectureships, gospel meetings, by telephone or at so called preachers luncheons, preachers and elders discuss private congregational circumstances of individual members and other things which should not be spoken or heard. (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1,2; I Peter 4:15)
Members of a local congregation may speak against the overseers and/or the preacher. God has revealed how to properly deal with possible error toward those who serve in this work. (I John 4:1 "try the spirits whether they are of God." Acts 18:24-26-Example of Aquila and Priscilla towards Apollos; I Timothy 5:17-22-the rebuking of an elder). Gossiping and rumor telling are not the scriptural ways of dealing with possible error.
As members of Gods family, we must be careful about allowing people to come to us and register their personal, judgmental complaints. If their complaint is legitimate, we need to direct them to the proper source. (Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:1-5). If their complaint is not legitimate, let us take enough courage to admonish them to stop and repent!
Colossians 4:6- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer each one." May we all examine our speech. Let us speak words truthful, courteous, dignified, wholesome and kind.
