“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment” (Benjamin Franklin). Who has not wrestled with the power of the tongue? James tells us that “no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:8). Should we just give up and surrender? By no means. It is imperative that we handle this challenge. James wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (Jas. 1:26).
It may be one of life’s greatest challenges and we all will undoubtedly fall short in many respects; but we must continue striving to use our speech in a manner that glorifies God. Solomon writes, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverb 18:21). Some of the inconsistencies of our speech are described by James when he says that with our tongue “we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; for from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh? (Jas. 3:9-12).
The tongue is a valuable tool in building relationships. With the tongue, we praise God and with the tongue we tell of His love. With the tongue, we lift up the downtrodden and with the tongue we give hope to the discouraged. Our speech is a sacred stewardship that needs our constant attention. Any tool that is misused can become damaged and lose its effectiveness. When we use our tongue to tear down others, it will be difficult for us to have a positive impact when sharing the gospel. It is hard to accept encouraging words from those who are prone to speak discouraging words about others.
Saying the right thing in the right situation is a difficult skill to master. Yet, we are told: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6). Again, in Ephesians 4:29, Paul says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Appropriate use of speech is not an impossible dream. Jesus revealed the secret to good speech when He said, “the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil” (Mt. 12:34-35). Concentrate on what you allow into your heart and you will have come a long way in controlling what comes out of your mouth.
— Glen Elliott —