Taming the Tongue

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Exodus 20:16 (KJV)

16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

The Scripture says Satan "is a liar and the father of all lies" (John 8:44). It seems that our enemy is in the word business. God, too, is very interested in the words you speak. Why?

1. Your words carry tremendous influence.
   "We put bits in horses' mouths . . . and we turn their whole body. Ships are also turned by a very small rudder. Likewise the tongue (your words) . . ." (James 3:3-5).
   1. Your words can be an excellent influence.
      "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life" (Proverbs 10:11). You've experienced words that have influenced you. "We've found your luggage." "You've been accepted." "You can do it." "You look beautiful." Words influence people.
   2. Your words can have an everlasting influence. There once was a farmer named Luke Short, who at the age of 100, was sitting in his field, when he remembered a message preached by John Flavell 85 years earlier. The words came to him and he was converted! "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver" (Proverbs 10:20).
2. Your words can cause terrible injury.
   James compares an evil tongue to a spreading blaze (James 3:6) or to a savage beast (James 3:7). The words you speak can harm, "The tongue is like a sharp razor" (Psalm 52:2). What are some ways your words can turn deadly and bring harm to your neighbor?
   1. Lying -- what our text calls "bearing false witness." This is simply saying something that is not true or an embellishment of the truth. "A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire" (Proverbs 16:21). Are there any reasons at all why someone should lie? It seems for self-defense, times of war, etc. . . .
   2. Gossiping -- "telling the truth to a person who is neither a part of the problem or a part of the solution." As the writer of Proverbs says, "a talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter" (Proverbs 11:13).
   3. Criticizing -- "Speak not evil one of another, brethren" (James 4:11). The hypocritical heart gives birth to the critical tongue. The apostle Paul says, "Let your words . . . minister grace to the hearers" (Epehesians 4:19). You may say, "I desperately want my words to be words that build up, but how do I?"
3. Your words can become truthful and intentional.
   What comes out of the mouth only reflects that which grows in the heart. A person without the grace of God finds it very difficult to communicate "words of grace." The person who receives Christ as Lord and Savior finds his words are transformed. For those of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ, it would do us well to remember:
   1. Think when to speak, don't speak when you think!
      "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak" (James 1:19).
   2. Think what to speak, don't speak what you think.
      "A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it in" (Proverbs 29:11).