WORD STUDY ON THE TONGUE

Speech, Lips, Mouth, Words

Ralph Sorter

            If one were to thoroughly cover the topic of the tongue from the Bible, it would literally take up volumes, for it is a topic the Bible gives much attention to.  But the goal of this devotion is to look at the use of the tongue through the eyes of the one who was most know for his wisdom, Solomon, through the book of Proverbs.

            Without knowing the force of our words, how can we who are serving in the Kingdom of God step forth and speak on His behalf?   How do we dare purpose to have the words of the Lord unless we commit our tongue to speak only at the urging of His Spirit?  All of us are all too familiar with the difficulty of controlling our own tongue.  Who here can say they have it tamed?  As it is with rays of light, so it is with our words…the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.  There are two ways to burn in your words: you can offend with them because they were not carefully chosen; or you can convict with them, because they were carefully chosen.  Prov. 16:23; 18:20-21; 15:4; 12:18-19

Servants of the Most High should be known for saying the right thing at the right time.  The problem is that it is far easier to say the wrong thing at the tempting moment.  It’s at times like this we need to listen to the simple wisdom of a cowboy, Will Rogers – If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.  Prov. 17:27-28  When you have spoken a word, it reigns over you; when it is unspoken, you reign over it.  It’s interesting to note here that the Hebrew word for lip, Saphah means, “language, babbling, seashore.”  Prov. 10:19-20

The tongue is the expression of your true nature.  Prov. 15:28; 10:31-32  Since the tongue reveals what is in the heart, you can use it for good or evil, depending on what you meditate on in your heart.  Prov. 21:23; 10:11-14

The one who speaks with wisdom when it would be easier to keep silent will rescue many a soul from trouble.  Prov. 28:23

            Your tongue plays a critical role in the expression of your faith.  “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ you shall be saved.”  Prov. 12:18-19, 21-22

            The tongue can express your praise to God or it can separate you from God.  Prov. 18:6-7, 21; 21:23 

            If we are going to heed the wisdom of Solomon and come any where near his reputation for the careful choosing of his words, we need to make the same commitment to guard our tongue as he did.  Prov. 8:7-8