Words have immense power, and the Bible acknowledges this truth. Join us on a journey through scripture as we explore the profound verses that address the use of our tongues and the impact of our words. Get ready to discover how the Bible guides us in harnessing the power of speech for good.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Thieves
Bible Verses About The Tongue And Words
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
This verse emphasizes the power of our words. Our tongue has the ability to bring life or death to ourselves and others. Our words have consequences, and the way we speak can have a profound impact on our relationships, emotions, and circumstances.
It reminds us to be mindful of the words we speak, choosing to use them to build up and encourage rather than tear down and destroy.
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
This verse highlights the importance of listening before speaking. It encourages us to be patient and slow to anger, understanding that rash and impulsive words can cause harm and damage relationships.
By being intentional in our listening and controlling our tongue, we can foster understanding and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse emphasizes the power of a gentle and kind response. It reminds us that responding to anger and conflict with gentleness can diffuse tense situations and promote peace.
Choosing our words carefully and responding with love can create an environment of understanding and reconciliation.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse highlights the impact of our words on others. Our reckless words can harm and wound, while wise and thoughtful words can bring healing and restoration.
It reminds us to choose our words wisely, considering their potential effects on those around us.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
This verse illustrates the power of kind and gracious words. Just as honey is sweet to the taste, gracious words have the ability to bring comfort and healing to the heart and soul.
It reminds us of the power of encouragement and upliftment through our speech.
Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
This verse emphasizes the accountability we have for our words. It reminds us that our words are not empty or insignificant, but carry weight and gravity.
It encourages us to be mindful of the words we speak and to use them in a way that pleases God.
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of using our words to build others up. It calls us to refrain from speaking unwholesome and hurtful words but to choose words that are helpful and edifying.
By speaking words that benefit and encourage others, we can contribute to their growth and well-being.
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
This verse highlights the importance of self-control in our speech. It reminds us that by guarding our mouths and being intentional in our words, we can avoid unnecessary trouble and conflict.
It encourages us to be mindful of our words and to exercise restraint when necessary.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of speaking with grace and kindness. It encourages us to have conversations that are seasoned with salt, meaning they are seasoned with wisdom and spoken with love.
It reminds us to be mindful of our speech and to respond to others with grace and understanding.
Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
This verse is a prayer for God’s help in guarding our speech. It recognizes our need for His guidance and protection in controlling our words.
It reminds us to seek God’s help in guarding our mouths and to invite Him to be the gatekeeper of our speech.
Proverbs 10:19
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
This verse highlights the importance of restraint in our speech. It reminds us that excessive talking can lead to sin, while wise individuals exercise discretion in their words.
It encourages us to be intentional in our speech and to think before we speak.
Psalm 19:14
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
This verse is a prayer for our words and thoughts to be pleasing to God. It acknowledges our reliance on Him and desires for our speech to align with His will.
It encourages us to surrender our words and thoughts to God, seeking His guidance in all that we say.
Proverbs 13:3
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding our speech. It reminds us that exercising self-control in our words can protect us from harm and preserve our lives.
It encourages us to be intentional in our speech and to avoid speaking rashly or impulsively.
Matthew 12:37
“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
This verse highlights the significance of our words. It reminds us that our words have the power to either justify or condemn us.
It emphasizes the need for accountability and wisdom in our speech, recognizing that we will be held responsible for the words we speak.
James 3:10
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
This verse points out the inconsistency that comes when we praise God and curse others with the same mouth. It challenges us to align our words with our beliefs and to speak consistently with love and compassion.
It calls us to examine the words that come out of our mouths and to ensure they reflect the character of God.
Proverbs 17:27
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of using our words wisely. It reminds us that those who possess knowledge exercise self-control in their speech and approach conversations with an even-tempered disposition.
It encourages us to cultivate wisdom and understanding in our words, ensuring that we use them with restraint and thoughtfulness.
Ephesians 5:4
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
This verse highlights the importance of guarding our speech against obscenity and foolishness. It reminds us that our words should reflect gratitude and praise rather than indulging in jesting and inappropriate language.
It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving in our speech, ensuring it aligns with God’s standards of holiness.
James 3:6
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive power of the tongue. It compares it to a fire that can spread and consume everything in its path.
It serves as a sobering reminder of the potential harm our words can cause and calls us to exercise caution, seeking to use our speech for good rather than evil.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
This verse addresses the harm caused by gossip and perverse communication. It reminds us that spreading rumors and engaging in divisive speech can damage relationships and create conflict.
It calls us to avoid participating in gossip and to speak words that promote unity and harmony among friends and loved ones.
Psalm 19:7
“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
This verse speaks of the perfection and trustworthiness of God’s Word. It reminds us that the Scriptures provide wisdom and guidance for our lives.
It emphasizes the importance of grounding our speech in God’s truth and using His Word as a foundation for our communication.
Proverbs 29:20
“Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
This verse warns against speaking impulsively and without thought. It implies that those who speak rashly are lacking wisdom and understanding.
It encourages us to be intentional in our speech, taking the time to consider our words and their potential impact.
Proverbs 10:32
“The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”
This verse contrasts the speech of the righteous and the wicked. It highlights that the words of the righteous are pleasing and find favor, while the speech of the wicked is marked by perversity and wrongdoing.
It challenges us to strive for righteousness in our speech, desiring to speak words that are pleasing to God and bring blessing to others.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
This verse calls us to rid ourselves of sinful speech and attitudes. It reminds us to let go of anger, malice, and slander, choosing instead to speak edifying words.
It encourages us to examine our hearts and rid ourselves of any speech that dishonors God and harms others.
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
This verse echoes the call to abandon speech that is rooted in negativity and harm. It reminds us to let go of bitterness, anger, and slander, seeking to replace these attitudes with love and grace.
It encourages us to purify our speech, ensuring that it reflects the transformation that has taken place in our hearts through Christ.
What Does the Bible Say About The Tongue And Words?
In the Bible, the tongue and words are prominent themes that carry a powerful message about the impact of our speech. The book of James, in particular, provides insightful wisdom on the power of the tongue. James 3:5-6 compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a forest on fire, emphasizing the immense potential for both good and harm in the words we speak.
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous verses that caution us about the way we use our words. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” This verse highlights the profound impact that our words can have on others. We can either speak life-giving, encouraging words, or we can speak words that bring harm and destruction.
Ephesians 4:29 encourages us to use our words to build others up and to give grace to those who hear us. This verse emphasizes the importance of speaking in a way that uplifts and encourages others, rather than tearing them down.
Moreover, Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:11 that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person. This underscores the significance of the words we speak. Our speech can reveal the condition of our hearts and can impact our relationships with others and with God.
In light of these teachings, we are reminded of our responsibility to be mindful of the words we use, to speak with love and grace, to encourage and uplift others, and to reflect the character of Christ in our speech. Our goal should be to honor God with our words and to build others up, speaking life and truth into every situation.