Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) THE TONGUE

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1 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) THE TONGUE Proverbs states that life and death are at stake when we speak. We can cultivate and nourish life, or stifle it by how we use our tongue. No part of our body will affect our lives as much as the tongue. Recent studies show that women use about 20,000 words a day on average, and men about 7,000 a day. It is a dominant part of our lives. One practical measure of maturity in life is seen in how words are used. Watching a child go from baby words to adult speech is something parents eagerly anticipate. We re encouraged to see a child use words correctly and appropriately in the home, in school and in worship. Words express character, attitude, respect, thankfulness and so much more. Although we will never master it, efforts toward using the tongue wisely will serve us well in relationships, business, ministry and family life. The following outline provides an in-depth look at what Proverbs says about the tongue. We would do well to think through the application of these insights to our lives. A. Declarations of the Tongue One s Character 6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech. 16:27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. One s Heart s Condition 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. One s Discernment 11:12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. One s Foolishness 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 14:3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. One s Knowledge 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 16:23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. One s Ignorance 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. One s Pride 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinions. 1

2 B. Descriptions of the Tongue It Can Be a Liar 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. It Can Be Slick 6:24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. It Can Be Gentle It Can Be Deep Water 18:4 The words of a man s mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It Can Give Knowledge 20:15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. It Can Nourish Life 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. C. Danger of the Tongue It Can Trap 6:2 If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, 12:13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. It Can Conceal 10:18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. It Can Pierce It Can Bring Trouble 10:6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 10:14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life, he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 17:20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good; and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. It Can Bring Discipline 14:3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will prevent them. It Can Bring Poverty 14:23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. It Can Crush Hearts 2

3 16:27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. It Can Ruin Relationships 16:28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. 17:9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. It Can Destroy Life 11:9 With his mouth the godless would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. 11:11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. D. Delight of the Tongue It Cultivates Life 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 11:9 With his mouth the godless would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. 11:11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. It Nourishes Others 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. 16:21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 16:23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. It Rescues People 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. It Brings Good 12:14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man s hand comes back to him. It Heals 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. It Brings Cheer 12:25 Anxiety in a man s heart weights him down, but a good word makes him glad. It Gives Honor 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. It Contents 18:20 From the fruit of a man s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 3

4 It Dispels Anger 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. E. Defilement of the Tongue Deception 4:24 Put away from your crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 26:23-25 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. Excessiveness 10:10 Whoever winks his eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. Gossip 11:13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. 16:28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. 26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.. Recklessness 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life, he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Lying 6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech. 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. Harshness 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 18:23 A poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. Foolishness 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Flattery 28:23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. 29:5 a man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. Haste 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. F. Disciplining the Tongue Limit Talking 10:19 When words are many transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 4

5 20:19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Don t Say Everything You Think 11:12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. 17:28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Guard Secrets 11:13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Be Gentle 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 25:15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. Use Self-control 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Have a Sense of Timing 15:23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Be Pleasant 16:21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Think Words Through 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Other Useful References: Jer. 9:5-8; Jam. 1:26, 3:2-9; 1 Pet. 3:10; 1 Jn. 3:18 5