Words and the power of the tongue

THE Bible offers much sound advice not only to Christians, but also to non-believers, on how the power of the tongue and the words we use can affect others. Indeed, even parliament has been debating the use of language lately.

In the letter of St James he writes on the power and taming of the tongue. As it is only a small part of the human body, he likens it to the rudder on a great ship which is turned and controlled by such a small part of the ship.

Likewise, he says, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts and can also damage a person and set that persons life “on fire” by just choosing the wrong words to use.

James goes on to say: “With the tongue we praise God, and with it we curse men who have been made in God’s likeness and this should not be so.”

He exhorts us to think carefully about the words we speak before we utter them so as not to cause hurt.

Jesus, when asked if He was the son of God, replied: “It is written that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

This from Jesus, as the living word of God, should cause us to stop and think before using words that might harm the one to whom we are speaking or by gossiping about a third party.

Perhaps the words of King Solomon (considered by most scholars to have written the book of Proverbs in the Bible’s Old Testament), should be the ones to close our thoughts on this matter.

Solomon exhorts us to think carefully every time we speak because once the words are out, it is too late to take them back. Solomon said: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver.

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” And most powerfully of all: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Surely a little more thought in how we speak, is an easy way to make the world a much better place.