Summary: Much can be said of a person’s character by the way he uses his tongue. Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Mat. 12:34). In Jas. 3:6, 8, the tongue is "a fire, a world of iniquity", and a "deadly poison."
Intro: Much can be said of a person’s character by the way he uses his tongue. Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Mat. 12:34). In Jas. 3:6, 8, the tongue is "a fire, a world of iniquity", and a "deadly poison." Let’s consider some sins of the tongue as we find them in God’s word and be warned about them.
1. The Lying Tongue (Prov. 25:18) So a lying tongue is a misuse of a deadly weapon. It can be used to harm others near at hand (a maul), a few feet away (a sword), or a great distance away (an arrow). Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and God said that he hates a lying tongue (Pro. 6:16-17). All liars will have their part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).
2. The Flattering Tongue (Psa. 5:9). Flattery which is akin to exaggeration is also a sin of the tongue. The Bible speaks of flattery as a characteristic of the wicked, not the righteous. Imagine the improvements which could be made in our society if only flattery will be done away with. Flattery is a form of lying and has no place in the life of a true Christian.
3. The Proud Tongue (Psa. 12:3-4). The most annoying people in the world are those with proud tongues because a proud tongue usually comes with two closed ears! Proud- tongued people are generally so full of themselves that they learn so little from anyone. A proud-tongued Christian will talk much of his knowledge and accomplishments, but little about the Lord. It is sad that a proud-tongued Christian is hard to teach or reason with because he thinks he knows everything!
4. The Overused Tongue (Eccl. 5:2-3) People think they appear smart by much talking, but the Bible states the very opposite. Much talk, much problems; less talk, less problems!
5. The Swift Tongue (Prov. 18:13). Some people are guilty of speaking swiftly when they really need to wait before saying anything. How many times have you had to "eat" your own words because you spoke swiftly? Why do you suppose God gave us two ears but only one mouth? (Jas. 1:19)
6. The Backbiting Tongue (Prov. 25:23; Rom. 1:28, 30). A backbiter is someone who uses his tongue against you when you aren’t around. Yet he will not face you with his charges when you are present. This is a cowardly person who would rather stir up problems than solve them!
7. The Talebearing Tongue (Prov. 18:8; Lev. 19:16a). Talebearing (carrying and telling tales) spreads all sorts of hurtful information around, and Satan uses such information to try to hinder and tear down God’s work. A victim of talebearing is really a "wounded" person. God forbid that a Christian should wound another Christian, but it does happen all the time!
8. The Cursing Tongue (Rom. 3:13-14). This passage deals strictly with unsaved people and their ungodly ways, yet there are not a few professing Christians who often curse with their mouth! Why would you want to identify with someone whom God describes as being DEAD, DECEITFUL, and filled with POISON? People curse because their life is miserable. They are unhappy so they make it known with their dirty speech. God curses those who curse! Christian, don’t expect God’s blessings when your mouth is still filled with cursing.