So far in this series, I have addressed the following disciplines: mind, devotion, prayer, worship, and integrity. The next spiritual discipline I want to consider is the Discipline of the Tongue.

This discipline is about that which comes out of our mouths. It is about the words that express what we think and how we feel. The Bible teaches that this small organ, which is the tongue, has the power and potential to do much harm. Words that come out of our hearts, whether written or spoken, can produce damage in friendships, marriages, churches, governments, reputations, careers and many other areas.

But they can also give hope, express love, make peace, and spread the gospel. The tongue can do both. In Proverbs 18:21, we read that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 15:4 says that “a gentle tongue is a tree of life but a perverted one breaks the spirit.”

Scripture teaches that while the tongue can produce both good and bad it is mostly set to do bad. We need to practice this discipline so that we use it for good and not for destructive purposes.

The most explicit passage in the Bible on this subject is found in the third chapter of the epistle of James. He is using some metaphors to explain what the tongue is like. They are very effective in portraying the chief characteristics of the tongue.

We read how it is like the small rudder of a large ship, able to control the direction in which the ship goes. He also says it is like a spark that sets the whole forest on fire. So even though the tongue it is just a small part of the body, it has the ability to corrupt the whole body and to set the course of one’s life on fire.

He also says about the tongue that it cannot be tamed by man and that it is a restless evil and full of poison. The conclusion from these verses that the tongue is doomed to corrupt and to destroy.

The Evil Bent of the Tongue

We might ask ourselves, why is the tongue like that? Why is it set to produce such bad results? In verse six of chapter three James writes that “the tongue is set on fire by the fire of hell.”

Man, as a result of the fall, is inherently bad and prone to the devil’s influence. The human heart is corrupted by sin, which is manifested by envy, hatred, gossip, violence, greed, and lust. People are driven by these things, which keep the fire burning that makes the tongue such a deadly and destructive tool.

This fire is also fueled by all that which we allow to enter our minds from the outside. I want to remind you of the Discipline of the Mind. I hope you see how important it is to practice that discipline. This is why it is so vital that we guard what enters our minds and our hearts. In verses like Matthew 15:18 and Luke 6:45 we see that speaking is the result of what is in the heart.

One way in which the rest of the world can know about what is in a man’s heart is by what comes out of his mouth. The tongue is the one that reveals what is on the inside. It is like opening a door to see inside a room.

The Bad Use of the Tongue

Gossip

These are conversations or reports of other people’s private lives that might be unkind, disapproving or untrue. The activity of gossiping usually emphasizes the faults and shortcomings of others.  

The Bible speaks against this kind of behavior. Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth.”

Gossip is a threat to all of us. The danger comes from the subtleness with which it occurs. Many times, we might not even be aware of it. Very often the discussion is started with words that apparently show concern for the person talked about. There is an easy way, however, to recognize that we are in fact gossiping, which is that the person who we talk about is not there and the content is negative.

Flattery

Flattery can be defined as excessive compliments with the purpose of winning someone over. It is often coupled with lying and deception. It is a form of manipulation used by people who try to be sneaky or clever. Even those who preach the word of God may use flattery to increase their followers, to be liked and to be popular. Their message contains mainly things that make people feel good about themselves. In Romans 16:17-18 Paul writes:

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Also, in 1 Thessalonians 2:5, he stresses a key characteristic of his ministry as well as those who assisted him by saying, “For neither at any time did we use flattering words.”

A good way to understand flattery is by observing how it is different from a compliment. The compliment is done for the benefit of the receiver but flattery is done for the benefit of the one who is making the compliments. It is a selfish act.

Criticism

I want to point out that this can be used in a positive and constructive way as well. When criticism is done in a loving and carrying manner, it could help others to correct their behavior. But often criticism is of the wrong kind.

Paul, in Romans, devotes the whole of chapter 14 to the dangers of criticism. He warns against applying our own standards to others and, therefore, judging them based on them. The problem is that a lot of criticism is not done in a constructive way. Much of criticism is born out of a critical spirit. This kind of spirit finds fault in everything and everyone. This kind of criticism should be avoided, since it is damaging to the critic as well as the one being criticized.

Slander

This is making false statements that leads to damaging one’s reputation. It is deliberately spreading lies and rumors about others.

Insult

The last destructive use of tongue that I want to point out is the saying of harsh words, often deliberately, in order to hurt others. This is usually fueled by jealousy or revenge. But we can also insult someone out of ignorance. We can say hurtful things and not realize what they do to another person.

So, these are some of the ways in which the tongue spreads the poison. Being engaged in this type of talk is sin and it is displeasing to God. The message of the Bible is a message of love and this type of behavior is in sharp contrast to that. But the tongue can be used in good ways as well.

The Good Use of the Tongue

We read in James 3 that it is impossible to tame the tongue and this is true as far as man is concerned but we read in Matthew 19:26 that all things are possible with God. If our lives are surrendered to him, and that includes the tongue as well, then the words we speak can serve in achieving much good. Let us look at some examples that have the power to do good with the tongue.

Evangelism

In Romans 10:14-15 we read that those who do not know God need to hear the good news in order to believe. When we do this, the tongue is involved in carrying out the great commission. Sharing the good news shows concern for others, for those who are lost.

Comfort

In 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 we read about how Paul was comforted in his trials by hearing the message that Titus brought from the church in Corinth. Many times, our brothers and sisters could be going through difficult times in their lives. If we loved and care for them, we can bring them some comforts with our words. The tongue can be used in this case to share a few verses with them, to pray with them and for them, and to tell them that you want to be there for them.

Encouragement

Life is difficult and it is just a matter of time until we are down and in desperate need of encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 teaches us to encourage one another and to build one another up. We should never underestimate the positive impact that our words could have on someone in need of encouragement.  

Worship

This is the greatest activity that the tongue can be involved in. Hebrews 13:15 speaks about being continually involved in offering praise to God. In my post on the Discipline of Worship, I discussed in some detail how this takes place. First, we need to have worship in the heart. Then the tongue will speak the words that glorify God.

How to Practice This Discipline

Cleansing

In Isaiah 6 we read about how the prophet was cleansed before he started his ministry. We also need to be cleansed and our lips must be purified. Until this takes place, we have no chance to use our words to do good.

Prayer

Like with all spiritual disciplines, we realize our desperate dependency on God so we come to him in prayer and ask Him to keep us from words that are rooted in sin or lead to sin.  

Making pledges

We can have several biblical principles that we abide by when it comes to the use of our tongue.

• To speak the truth in love – (Eph 4:15)
• To refrain from being part of gossip (Pro 16:28)
• To refrain from insincere flattery (Pro 26:28)
• To refrain from running down another (Jam 4:11)
• To refrain from degrading humor (Eph 5:4)
• To memorize scripture that teach the proper use of tongue (Ps 119:11)

I hope that in reading all this you are encouraged to watch your tongue every time you speak and that you will commit to take the necessary steps so that you use words that comfort and build up, words that glorify God.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash