The Bible teaches that our words have the power to bring life or death, and that controlling our tongue is essential for living a godly life. According to James, those who consider themselves religious must keep a tight rein on their tongues, lest they deceive themselves. The book of Proverbs warns that reckless words can pierce like a sword, while gentle words can bring healing, as seen in Proverbs 12:18 and 15:4. In Psalms 141:3, David asks God to set a guard over his mouth, recognizing the need for divine help in taming his tongue, a theme also echoed in James 3:8.
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If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.