Among all the powers existing in the world, the power of the tongue is probably the most underestimated, for it can conceal its might in multifarious ways, making us unaware of its divergent capabilities. In addition, its dualistic potential can polarize its effect, often to the astonishment of the hearer. The Scriptures put it this way:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov. 18:21)

These words express with great accuracy the wide range the tongue can reach, and reach with amazing ability. All this should compel us to watch and pray, and assess the state of our hearts, for as Jesus explains:

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

As I wrote in my post entitled “The taming of the tongue”, the tongue cannot be tamed, but happily, the heart can. That is the reason why the Scriptures exhort us to keep our heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life (Prov. 4:23).

Another polarity

If death and life are in the power of the tongue, justification and condemnation don’t lag behind.

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)

The power of the tongue cannot be expressed any better. No wonder the Bible exhorts us to refrain our lips.

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Prov. 10:19)

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”. (James 1:19)

A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” (Prov. 29:11)

One thing is certain: the tongue has the power to edify but also to destroy, to encourage but also to discourage, to utter truth but also falsehood. Its potential calls for our utmost respect, and wisdom compels us to purify and unite our hearts to attain the issues of life (James 4:8, Psalm 86:11).

Unprofitable words

Job had rightly noticed that the tongue can utter words of wind and proverbs of ashes (Job 16:3, 13:12). Talking to his friends, he declared:

I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all! 3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? 4 I also could speak as you do, if your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you; 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.” (Job 16:2–5)

Here Job confronts us with two possible alternatives, the one harsh, untrue, and malevolent, the other flowing from verity, benevolence, and mercy. These two alternatives are often present when we open our mouths, and the wise will stand still and consider.

Our hope

To such questions as: What am I going to say? Why am I going to say it? How am I going to say it? Where am I going to say it? To these questions, the tongue will be forever unable to answer, but what about the heart? Our hope of success resides in the state of our heart, in the communion it has with the Head, which is Christ. As far as Christianity is concerned, the importance of the heart cannot be overemphasized. Lies, overstatements, gossip, defamations, bitter words, calumnies, can be exchanged for verities, accuracies, edifying words, straight discourses, and the like, and the exchange doesn’t depend on the tongue but on the heart. The apostle Paul resumes it beautifully when he writes:

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph. 4:15).

Words of destruction?

As I mentioned earlier, the tongue can edify, but it can also destroy. In 1961, A.W. Tozer preached a message during which he said: “The kingdom of God has suffered a great deal of harm from fighter—men who would rather fight than pray; but the kingdom of God has also been done great harm by men who would rather be nice than be right. I believe that God wants us to be right, though He wants us to be right lovingly.”

I refer to Tozer’s words to clarify something. At times, kind words can be absolutely destructive, and hard words spoken in love can edify beyond expectation. For instance, the one who wrote: “Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification” (2 Cor. 12:19), also wrote: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” (Gal. 3:1) And again: “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3)

What I am saying is that human wisdom is not sufficient to guide the human tongue; we need a wisdom infinitely higher than ours. Jesus, the Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24), spoke thus:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)

And again:

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” (John 8:44)

But He could also speak words of great comfort:

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:10,11)

To discern what to say, where to say it, and how to say it is more complicated than one may think. No wonder Paul wrote: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9). Let it be known, knowledge without discernment can become as dangerous as ignorance and as devastating as malicious assumptions.