Guard Your Tongue from These 4 Things

The tongue is a small part of the body, yet it can make all things great (James 3:5). By our words, we are trusted and not trusted. Praised and ridiculed. Words determine the future (Proverbs 18:21). And by words also we are delivered from problems or instead become ensnared in problems (Proverbs 21:23).

A person may be able to forgive what others have done to them, but it is hard to forget their words. Therefore, it is very important to guard the words that come out of our tongue.

However, the evil of the tongue is not only about slander, lies, or verbal bullying. There are a number of other harmful effects that words can trigger. What are they?

The Tongue: A Dangerous Little Thing

Here are four mistakes we often make, whether knowingly or not, with our tongue.

1. Empty Words

But some have missed that purpose and have turned aside to meaningless talk. – 1 Timothy 1:6

Empty talk is speech that is unclear, unproven, makes it hard for the person we are talking to to understand the message being conveyed, or has no benefit.

Words that are “one thing on the lips, another in the heart” are also empty talk. For example, people who have knowledge of the word may only quote what sounds right—not because it comes from their own conviction. Be careful with this. You make it seem as though you are great and have a perfect spiritual life. In reality, you need help and guidance, or you need to correct your weaknesses.

Empty words keep us from reaching the desired goal, namely help to keep our hearts right before God. So do not let careless speech from the tongue cause us to fail to receive counsel and direction so that we do not take a wrong step.

2. Unable to Restrain the Tongue

If you meet someone who is diligent in worship and serves extraordinarily well, but often throws out dirty, harsh, improper, unedifying words and puts others down, what is your view of that person?

I am sure you would not be impressed, much less amazed, by that person's worship or service. On the contrary, you might comment, “It is useless for him to worship; his words do not reflect someone who claims to believe in Jesus.”

If anyone considers himself religious, yet does not restrain his tongue, he deceives himself, and his worship is worthless. – James 1:26

Before God, worship becomes worthless when we cannot restrain the tongue. When you are angry, do you let out a string of animal names, curses, or harsh insults? Are you quick to lie and slow to speak honestly? When you dislike or are disappointed with someone, do you spread their faults and deliberately shape public opinion so that others agree with your dislike of them?

If the things above are still happening, it means you have not yet restrained your tongue.

Let no filthy word come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up, where needed, so that those who hear it may receive grace. – Ephesians 4:29

When you are angry, remember that you have control over your tongue. Use words that build up, not words that tear down and make others feel worthless. Discipline, teach, and guide them with your words. Do not instead deliberately crush their heart, or make others look foolish. Rather than gaining respect, you may instead gain enemies and bear no fruit in the Lord.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. – Proverbs 15:4

3. Speaking Carelessly

The second of the Ten Commandments says, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God lightly, for the LORD will not hold guiltless anyone who takes His name lightly (Exodus 20:7).”

An Amalekite soldier from Saul's side who escaped from the battle against David made up a story about Saul's death so that he would be considered meritorious (2 Samuel 1:2-16). He said that he had killed Saul at Saul's own request. The soldier was finally put to death by the sword because his words became proof that he had killed the Lord's anointed (verse 16).

This habit of speaking carelessly like this, especially to the point of lying, can become a weapon that turns against you. Therefore, be wise in your speech. Speak what is true, good, and beneficial for yourself and others, not so that you appear smart, godly, or cool.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21

4. Judging People Too Quickly

“My beloved brothers and sisters, remember this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19

If you receive information or rumors about someone, do not immediately believe them just like that, much less pass them on to others as gossip. Try not to hear only from the one telling the story, but find out the rest of the story from the first party who truly experienced it.

Why?

Sometimes, as some later link in the chain of information, we receive a story that is biased or has already strayed from the heart of the matter. By making judgments based only on unproven reports, we have already acted unjustly toward the person concerned.

Be Watchful in Speech

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise the Lord, our Father; and with it we curse people who are made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be so." – James 3:8-10

All of us have surely spoken wrongly at one time or another, whether intentionally or not, and so have hurt other people's hearts (John 3:2). However, do not worry, it is not too late to change our speaking habits. Let us learn to guard our tongue from empty words, to wisely consider the impact of what we say, and to be slow to speak. The Lord Jesus bless you.

*Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved in them, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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