“Don’t repeat this, but…” “Wait ‘till you hear what I heard this morning…” “So, what’s the latest juicy gossip on…?” “Man, the boss messed up on the project and should be fired…” We’ve all heard people speak these toxic phrases before. Negative words, backbiting, and criticism have become common, and most people take it in stride. However, this type of talk is highly destructive; God gave us mouths, tongues, and vocal cords to speak good, not evil.
We may think a little bit of gossip is harmless and entertaining, but words used the wrong way can be weapons. God blessed us with the power of speech, and He intended for us to use it to build people up, not tear them down. He gave us a choice on how to use our mouths; sadly, we sometimes make the wrong choice. “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:5-10, NKJV).
Our environment is filled with emotionally immature people. Letting their speech influence ours is a mistake. Using our words to hurt others violates God’s royal law of love. “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another” (Galatians 5:14, 15, NLT).
In families, we see the power of speech at work. Parents who constantly tell their children they’re worthless, dumb, and no-good will eventually see them become what is spoken over them. Conversely, parents who constantly encourage and affirm their children while pointing out their good qualities will see them flourish and excel. The words husbands and wives speak to each another profoundly affect them and the marriage relationship. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).
This also applies at work. Badmouthing the people we don’t like, attacking someone’s character to discredit them, or lying to get that big promotion may be accepted at some organizations, but it’s displeasing to God. This is one of the challenges Christians face when attempting to live in the world without becoming contaminated by it. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
As free moral agents, choosing to speak God’s Word instead of the world’s words keeps us out of danger. Words are powerful; God spoke the entire universe into existence with the authority of His Word (Genesis 1:1-25). We have the same authority and must use it wisely. Speaking life helps us tame our tongue.
