The Power of the Tongue and when to speak

Troy Husted

April 13, 2024

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion (Proverbs 18:2) The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice," (Psalm 37-30)

One way we can walk in the love of God is through our tongue. Life and death are harnessed in the power of our tongue! Do we believe this?

Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences.(Proverbs 18:21 TPT) Horses have bits and bridles in their mouths so that we can control and guide their large body. And the same with mighty ships, though they are massive and driven by fierce winds, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder at the direction of the person at the helm. And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power! Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickedness and is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body and is a hellish flame! It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence.(James 3:3‭-‬6 TPT)

A wicked scoundrel wants to dig up dirt on others, only to spread slander and shred their reputation. A twisted person spreads rumors; a whispering gossip ruins good friendships.(Proverbs 16:27‭-‬28 TPT)

Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits.(Proverbs 16:24 TPT)

Words of wisdom are like a fresh, flowing brook— like deep waters that spring forth from within, bubbling up inside the one with understanding.(Proverbs 18:4 TPT)

The Word tells us that our words can be like a scorching fire, separating close friends, stirring up anger, and providing the folly of fools. In contrast, the Word also says that our tongue can speak words that bring life … words like apples of gold, life-giving water, or honey to the soul.

Our words have an impact for good or ill.

Our tongue and its power to use words is a unique and influential gift from God. When we read the book of Proverbs, we must notice that verse upon verse about the power of our words keep jumping off the page. Proverbs 12:6 teaches that our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up. Are we using the words from our tongue to build up people or destroy others? Who’s in charge of your tongue?

Who can we blame when hurtful things come tumbling out of our mouths? It is imperative that we make a conscious decision to control the output of our own tongues.

Since our powerful, positive, and beautiful words can heal and uplift, we must be lavish in these words. When spoken with truth, our words have the ability to change lives. Stop and think about how you communicate. Do your words encourage people to achieve greatness? Do your words support and help someone who is suffering? Do your words nurture, nourish, and inspire your own children.

Sadly, emotions like hatred, fear, anger, doubt, frustration, and resentment can be expressed and fueled by words as well. Whether words are written or spoken, they have the power to break and destroy healthy environments, as well as relationships.

Years ago, I accepted the challenge presented in Ephesians 4:29 which states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” What a powerful directive.

This would be a project in taming my tongue. Witnessing the barren desert of hurtful words, I was excited to go on this new life-giving adventure. I wanted to speak life into my world starting with my own tongue.

Since our tongue wields the mighty power for life or for death, we must be mindful of what we say and how we say it. Consider your words.

Your words can change everything!

We also need to understand when is the right time to speak. Jesus gave us the example when He spoke and how He spoke. Jesus would use parables when speaking (Matthew 13:10-12). Stories he used to relate to the situation at hand. Some might understand, while others could not grasp it. When we speak, even out of love, we have to understand the precepts of the mindset of the one we are talking to (Matthew 13:13-15, Ephesians 4:18, Proverbs 11:13, Proverbs 18:2)

Jesus knew this, and we should too. Jesus stayed silent (Matthew 26:63) when He was accused of crimes He did not make, not because of cowardice, but knew the condition of their hearts (Proverbs 17:28, James 1:19, Proverbs 21:23)

A harden heart will not listen, for what is spoken is blocked by the noise within their hearts on wanting vengeance, wanting to be heard to express their own self-righteousness opinions.

Isn't this what we are seeing in today's world? Every on divided in their own righteous opinions and fall short to the teachings of Jesus!

This is why when so many believe to be helping or give sound advice or just bringing peace, it usually ends in a bad situation, unraveling the intention of your actions to bring peace. So, before you speak, examine the situation, the demeanor of the other and pray. Let God bring the softening of the heart so they make hear the divine counsel from your lips.

Ponder:

• Small. Quick. Easy. Consider the impact of your words. How can you speak more life-giving truths and not words that destroy?
  

• Do you have patience and true understanding to the issue at hand and problems rooted deep within the people we are speaking to? Do you truly understand their heart?
  

• Do you follow the examples of Jesus, instructing yourself to the will of the Father to know when to speak and when to be silence?
  

• Do you speak out of love, through Jesus, or out of the opinions of our own self-righteousness!

Prayer:

Lord, please help us to become super aware of the power in my tongue and my chosen words. Help me to speak life and not death. Help me to model in the wisdom Jesus taught to examine every situation and call upon you to lead the way. Let us always examine our hearts before we speak or act, and let your will, not our own selfish opinion be the power to speak and bring life. Let us always yield to your true power and bring life in unity in when, where, and how we speak.

Amen!