Your Tongue is Dangerous
Right after proving through the Old Testament scriptures that no one is righteous or good in the sight of God (Rom 3:9-12), the book of Romans quotes from various psalms the danger of our tongues (Psa 5:9, Psa 10:7, Psa 140:3).
“[13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:” – Romans 3:13-14
Most of us don’t consider our mouths to be open tombs, deceitful, poisonous, or full of cursing and bitterness. The reality of God's words, however, tells a different story.
It helps to define words in the Bible, as many of us will read over them without considering their deeper meaning, missing the clear testimony of God’s goodness and our depravity. If you have any doubt about whether or not your throat is an open tomb, full of death, I’d urge you to examine the definitions of the words that describe all of our tongues below to see if you’ve ever used your tongue in such a manner.
Deceive – To ensnare. Leading someone to believe what is false or only partially true.
Curse – To utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon; to call for mischief or injury to fall upon; to execrate.
Bitter – Sharp, as words, reproachful; sarcastic; cruel; severe.
The book of James even describes the tongue as a small fire that can set on fire our entire course (Jas 3:5-6). What comes out of our mouths can hurt others and destroy ourselves and the ones our poisonous words are aimed at. Not only that, but James continues to describe our helpless, hypocritical state:
“[8] But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. [9] Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” – James 3:8-9
What are we to do if no man can tame their tongue? Are we helpless?
The only way to bridle our tongues is through God’s grace working in and out of us. It is through the recognition of our insufficiency, the reliance upon the strength and power of God in us, and the washing of the word that we can be transformed in our hearts, minds, and tongues through Christ (Rom 12:1-2).
The words we speak matter! They can spread life or death. Rather than spread fire, deceit, and destruction whenever we speak, let us season our speech with God’s grace to magnify the love of Christ (Col 4:6, Eph 4:15). In order not to deceive, entice, or lead people astray, either knowingly or unknowingly, we need to know Bible doctrine and speak the truth in love so that we can edify the body of Christ (Rom 16:18, 1Co 2:13, 1:17, 2:4-5, Eph 4:14-15, 5:6, Col 2:4, 4:6, 1Th 2:5, 1Ti 4:6-7, 6:3-5, 2Ti 1:13, 2:14, Titus 2:8).
