Have you ever said something and immediately wished that you could take your words back? I have certainly done this more times than I would like to admit. Whether it is something said in jest that crosses a line into being hurtful, or a super sarcastic comment, or a statement said in anger, or something that is less than completely truthful, or simply a thoughtless comment, most of us have experienced times when we wished we could take our words back.
It has been said, “Words are free, it’s how you use them that may cost you.” The truth is that words are very powerful! In James 3:1-12 the power of words is clearly illustrated. Words are compared to a small rudder that steers a big ship, and to a small bit that directs a powerful horse, and to a small fire that can start a raging forest fire. Since words are so powerful, we need to be careful how we use them. So, what I want to share with you is a list of verses that help to tame our tongues.
10 Valuable Tongue Tamers
· “Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.” Proverbs 13:3
· “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit” 1 Peter 3:10
· “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Proverbs 21:23
· “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalms 34:13
· “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:19-20
· “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24
· “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
· “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
· “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9
· “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Jesus said that we speak from what is within our heart. So, for example, if we have a heart that has anger in it, we are likely to speak out in anger. “How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34. I would encourage you to commit to memory a couple of these verses that speak to you the most in areas where, perhaps you struggle with how you tend to speak. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against God.” Then the next time you are tempted to sin with your words, recite the verses you have memorized. I believe this hiding of God’s word in your heart will help to tame your tongue. I know it has helped me.