Length of your tongue is not up to your height, but it is a strong ‘tool’ that can either preserve or destroy the body. The tongue must be treated with respect, because it is the only organ for the spoken words.
A study led by Dr. Matthias Mehl, shows that on average, women speak 16,215 words per day and men speak 15,669 words per day. That means a person can speak an average of 5.7 million words in a year. Can you analyze the significance of this volume?
I heard a story about a woman who invited her friends for supper. She went to the cold store to buy chicken. The butcher brought the last chicken in the freezer and weighed it. He said: “Two pounds”.
The woman responded: “Please I want a bigger one”. The butcher did not want to lose the customer. So, he returned the chicken into the freezer and brought the same chicken out again – and he said: “Three pounds”.
The woman was glad; “Good, I’ll pay for both chicken”. The butcher shivered and had a problem at that moment. His tongue put his name in the book of dishonesty.
Today’s message will give you an insight on the significance of the tongue and how to tame it.
7 Powerful things your Tongue can do!
1. The tongue can heal
Scriptures says that let the weak say, “I am strong”… So, the word of faith through your tongue can heal you and your neighbor. Proverbs chapter 12 verse 18 says: “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.”
2. It can crush the spirit
Wrong use of the tongue can invoke depression into ones spirit. Proverbs chapter 15 verse 4 says: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
3. Tongue has the power of life and death
Proverbs chapter 18 verse 21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
4. It can defile you
The kind of food and water that pass through your tongue to the stomach cannot make you a sinner. But, the dirty words you rolled out of your tongue are enough to wipe your name from the Book of Life.
Matthew chapter 15 verses 11 say: “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
5. The tongue can shed blood
The tongue is sharper than the sword of Goliath, and its bullets are hotter than AK 47 rifle. You will agree with me that all forms of blood bath start with the tongue, through threat and rumors of war.
Proverbs chapter 12 verse 6 and 7: “The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” but the mouth of the upright will deliver them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.”
6. Your tongue has ability to break home
A lot of broken homes were as a result of harsh words and destructive argument from the tongue.
Proverbs chapter 15 verse 1 and 2 says: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”
7. It can set you ablaze
Don’t be careless with your tongue. It sets the wrong users on fire! Apostle James described the carnal tongue this way: “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.” (James 3:6)
7 Ways to Tame the Tongue
Apostle James said that no one can tame the tongue (James 3:8). That’s true! But, it has to be tamed. So, who can do this for you?
The only Solution Provider is the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of God takes charge of everything about your life, then it becomes easy to tame your tongue through the following ways:
1. Put your tongue in Prayers
It is essential you pray every morning before jumping out of the bed. Ask the Lord to take charge of your tongue. Psalm chapter 141 verse 3 says: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
2. Have a Graceful heart
Scriptures says that from abundant of the heart the mouth speaks. Always fill your heart with the word of the Lord. The word of Jesus softens the heart and every word that rolls through the tongue will be helpful to the listeners. Colossians chapter 4 verses 6: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
3. Don’t be a Talkative
Study your audience and don’t be greedy to be the major speaker. I fell into this trap, but I thank God for delivering me. Too much talk can lead to exaggeration (lies).
Proverbs chapter 10 verses 19 say: “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
4. Train your Emotion to Even-temper
This would save your tongue from setting you ablaze. Our tongues execute the emotions in us, so it is safer to be even-temper.
Your anger must not influence your tongue to abuse, and the joy of your achievement must not make your tongue to blaspheme the superiority of the Lord.
Proverbs chapter 17 verse 27 to 28: “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”
5. Weigh your Response
It is wise to rehearse your speech in your heart before sending your tongue an errand; it prevents chaos and embarrassment. Proverbs chapter 15 verse 28: “A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.”
6. Slow to Speak
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19
7. Customize your Tongue
Re-brand your tongue to suit the acceptance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, keep a tight rein on your tongue. Don’t speak if the Spirit of the Lord did not speak.
The tongue is a powerful ‘tool’ that can either bless or curse the beholder. So, do not joke with your tongue, but tame it through the help of the Holy Spirit.
