What Does the Bible Say About the Tongue?

The Bible has a great deal to say about the tongue — our words — because they carry enormous power to help or harm. James even calls it a small member that boasts great things. Here's what Scripture teaches about the tongue.

Words carry life and death

The Bible doesn't treat words lightly: 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue.' Our words can build up or tear down, heal or wound, encourage or crush. Few things shape our relationships and our world more than how we speak.

The standard for our speech

Scripture sets a clear aim for our words: '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.' The test is whether our words build others up and bring grace.

Slow to speak

Much harm comes from speaking too quickly, so the Bible urges restraint: 'let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.' Listening more and speaking less, thinking before we talk, guards us from many a regret.

Taming a small but powerful thing

James compares the tongue to a small rudder that steers a great ship, and a small spark that sets a forest ablaze. It's hard to control, but with God's help it can be tamed and used for good. What comes out of our mouths ultimately flows from our hearts, so a guarded heart leads to guarded speech.

The Bible takes the tongue seriously: our words carry life and death, and we're called to speak only what builds others up and brings grace, to be slow to speak, and to let God tame this small but powerful thing. Since our words flow from our hearts, guarding both matters. Choose to speak life today — true, kind, and gracious — and let your tongue be a source of blessing rather than harm.