How Are We Using Our Tongue?

An anonymous writer once stated, “The tongue can be a blessing, And the tongue can be a curse; Say, friend, how are you using yours: For better or for worse?

There’s no question that in the last fifty years, our society’s use of crude and vulgar language has increased, but the language that issues forth from the tongue of a Christian should never be of that variety (Colossians 4:6). Rather, we need to be “very careful then, how [we] live — not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15 NIV), thinking about how to honor God with our words.

We please the Lord with our tongue, when we show discernment. The Proverb writer tells us, “He who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19) and later on in the book, he reminds us that when we speak, we are to filter the words that escape from our lips: “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).

It is important for us to use kind, positive words — again, the Proverb writer writes, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness” (Proverbs 15:1-2).

We are to avoid unsound or unhealthy words. Paul exhorts us to “let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29) — setting a strong standard for using a godly vocabulary. He told young Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words, which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13).

Dear reader, we honor God, when we select wholesome, sound, and godly words that are pleasing and acceptable to Him (cf. Matthew 12:34-37).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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