Taming The Tongue

Words wield immense power, shaping our reality and identity far beyond and contrary to the childhood adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” The Bible underscores this in Proverbs 18:21, stating, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” highlighting that words can wound deeply, influencing our self-image and life’s course. From hurtful comments to words that spark wars or disrupt lives, the tongue’s impact is undeniable, capable of both blessing and cursing, as James 3:6 notes, setting “the entire course of life” ablaze.

Who hasn't said something they regret? And yet, we also seem incapable of stopping. The tongue’s hypocrisy—blessing God while cursing His image-bearers—reveals a deeper issue: an untamed heart. Jesus reveals the core issue in Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Taming the tongue, then, requires more than techniques or discipline—it demands a transformed heart.