TAMING THE TONGUE
[Proverbs:15:1-33 [1] A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. [2] The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. [3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. [4] A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. [5] A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. [6] In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. [7] The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. [8] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. [9] The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. [10] Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. [11] Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? [12] A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. [13] A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. [14] The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. [15] All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. [16] Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. [17] Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. [18] A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. [19] The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. [20] A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. [21] Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. [22] Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. [23] A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! [24] The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. [25] The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. [26] The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. [27] He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. [28] The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. [29] The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. [30] The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. [31] The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. [32] He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. [33] The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. ]; [Ecclesiastes:5:1-7 [1] Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. [2] Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. [3] For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. [4] When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. [5] Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. [6] Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? [7] For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. ]; [James:3:1-18 [1] My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. [2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. [3] Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. [4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. [5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! [6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. [7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: [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. [10] Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. [11] Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? [12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. [13] Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. [14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. [15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. [16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. ].
“Speak not evil one of another” (James 4:11).
Created by God
Long, long ago God made a beautiful place which He called the world. He made the great seas of water and the dry land with its green grass and tall trees. God made many things to grow: there was fruit on some of the trees and there were vegetables of many kinds.
Swimming around in the water were many kinds of fishes. Out in the deep woods were the wild animals where God planned for them to live. Useful animals were created, too, such as cows, pigs, sheep, and horses. God also made the lovely birds that spread their wings and fly in the air. Many other living creatures were made by God, and everything that was created was very good.
The most wonderful work that God made was man, and he was given power over all the animals, the fishes, and the birds. People are not like the dumb animals that cannot speak. At a very young age, a baby learns to talk; then when he is about six years old he goes to school and learns to read and write. By reading books he learns many things.
Power over the Animals
The Bible tells us that every kind of beasts, birds, serpents, and things in the sea is tamed by man. Oxen and horses learn to pull the plough and the wagon. Horses are trained to obey their master by means of a bit in their mouth. By this they know just which way to turn, when to go, and when to stand still. Even the huge elephants in the jungle may be taught to work for the people. Seals, lions, and tigers are sometimes trained to do tricks. Some birds are trained to sing certain songs, and they actually carry a tune.
The Tongue
Although man has learned to trap and tame wild animals yet the Bible tells us that there is one thing that man cannot tame. What do you suppose that is? It is the tongue. Our tongue is a very small part of our body, but it get us into more trouble than any other thing.
Did you ever stand on a dock and watch an ocean liner as it sails out into the blue water? These large ships are steered by means of a very small helm. Carefully, as the pilot follows a chart and compass, he pilots the ship safely across the sea. Or have you ever gone to an airport and watched with interest a huge transport plane flying overhead, and landing, like a giant seagull, on a field at exactly the right place? We see the trains and automobiles come and go. All this teaches us that God has given man great wisdom to build these wonderful things, and to guide them so they go wherever man pleases.
If man can do such great things, why cannot he tame the little tongue? Because the tongue speaks out the things that are hidden in the heart. So if our heart is full of sin we will just naturally speak naughty things. The Bible says that no man can tame the tongue, but how thankful we are that Jesus is able to do so! When we are saved, Jesus helps us to keep a “bridle” on our tongue. Then we will not say mean, hurtful things to others. Children who “talk back” to their parents or teachers need to be saved. There is only one way to be set free from a “sharp” tongue, and that is to be saved through the Blood of Jesus.
When we are saved Jesus helps us to talk kindly to others. When someone corrects us for something, we will give a soft answer instead of speaking sharply. Jesus is not pleased with people who “talk back” to others. When Jesus is in our heart we are happy, and we even have a happy look on our face. Did you ever meet someone who was gloomy and cross? It even makes others feel bad to be around people like that.
By Their Fruits
Some children go to church and Sunday School on Sunday and sing and talk about Jesus. Then on Monday morning they say naughty words and do bad things. That is not pleasing to God. Did you ever see a drinking fountain that had sweet water and bitter water at the same place? Of course you did not. The Bible asks whether a fig tree can bear olive berries, or whether a vine can bear figs. We all know that they cannot. Jesus said in [Matthew:7:16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
], “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” So if we are saved, we live and talk like a Christian; and if we are not saved, we talk like a sinner. We do not have to be with someone very long before we know whether he is saved or not.
Peter’s Mistake
We read in the Bible of a man whose tongue got him into trouble. This man’s name was Peter. No doubt he thought that he really loved Jesus and would not do anything to displease Him. One day he said to Jesus, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” [Matthew:26:33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
]). But Jesus knew Peter’s weakness and told him that that very night, before the cock, or rooster, should crow, Peter would deny Jesus three times. A little later, that same night, Jesus gave Peter a word of warning when He said, “Watch and pray.” If Peter had watched and prayed, perhaps he would not have gotten into trouble. But just a few hours later we find him telling a lie. A girl said to him as he stood by a fire warming himself, that he was one who had been with Jesus. And what do you suppose Peter answered? “I know not what thou sayest.” Then as he went out on the porch, another girl saw him and said, “This fellow was also with Jesus.” But again Peter said, “I do not know the man.” After a while some others said to him, “Surely thou also art one of them.” Again he denied that he even knew Jesus, and he used very bad words. Immediately Peter heard the cock crow, and remembered what Jesus had said to him. He was very sorry that he had not been true to Jesus, and went out and wept.
It is a terrible thing to tell a lie! It was Peter’s tongue that told these three lies, but if his heart had been kept white and clean, his tongue would not have spoken as it did. Peter had denied his very best Friend, Jesus Christ. This teaches us that we must keep our heart right with God at all times.
Pleasing God
God gave us a tongue with which to sing His praises. David said, “Oh that men would praise the LORD” [Psalms:107:8Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
]). If we use our tongue only to sing His praises and tell others about Jesus we shall not get into trouble. Jesus sees everything we do and hears everything we say. In [James:4:11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
] we are told not to speak evil of another. A good thing to remember is: if we cannot say something good about another, don’t say anything.
In [Malachi:3:16Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. ] we read of some people who loved the Lord and often talked about Him. The Lord heard it and wrote it down in a book. He said, “They shall be mine... when I make up my jewels.” If we want to have our name in that good book and be one of the Lord’s “jewels,” let us talk about the Lord at work and at play. Then when we go to church we can praise Him with all our heart in song and in testimony.
1. What is the result of giving a soft answer? [Proverbs:15:1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
].
2. Does God see everything we do? [Proverbs:15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
].
3. Can any man tame the tongue? [James:3:8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
].
4. How may we know who is a Christian and who is a sinner? [Matthew:7:16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
].
5. How should we act in the house of God? [Ecclesiastes:5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
].
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