The mouth. A mixture of muscles and tissues, embedded with blood vessels and structured with powerful jaws. With teeth and a spongy material we call the tongue, the mouth just seems like another body part. And it is, to the uninformed. To the Christians, it is more than a body part, but a weapon!

James 3:5–8 (KJV)
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.

Today, we unpack the power of the tongue and will share bible verses concerning its power and application. May the Holy Spirit grant us understanding🙏. Surrender series, take 2!

Today, I want to write about this topic because it has been a personal battle for the past month or so. This became a battle for me after I had read a couple of verses in the book of Matthew and watched a sermon concerning it, and I noticed the faults that I had. It is important that we have personal reflection moments as often as possible, because faults are everywhere in our lives. We may do certain things that are not righteous, and we often identify our faults during a personal reflection time.

I feel that this topic is something all Christians need to take very seriously. It's called watch your mouth.

The bible is very vocal about this particular topic in both the Old and New Testaments. During my research, I came upon over twenty verses spread across the scripture that talk about this topic. We won’t be able to cover all of them; therefore, I will be dropping them at the end of the blog so that we can educate ourselves on God’s word.

As Christians taking conscious steps to surrender our all to Christ, we also have to remember to surrender our mouths to God. We may not fully understand the power of our words, comments, advice, and insults. It is also very easy when moved strongly by emotions to speak in an unruly manner or with unintended words. Trying to control our words can be very taxing, and it's quite easy to lose focus for a moment; however, the importance of our words cannot be overemphasized. Let's take a look at what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had to say about our words.

Matthew 15:11 (KJV):
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."

In this verse, Jesus had just finished talking to the Pharisees and Scribes who came to ‘report’ His disciples to Him. The report was that the disciples defiled themselves by not washing their hands before they ate. After talking to them, He called a multitude and delivered this one line. This statement is so important that Jesus gathered a whole multitude for it, and He could’ve talked about anything, but He chose this one sentence. So, let's break this verse down.

“It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person…”

Remember, Jesus had just finished talking with the Pharisees, and He noticed their line of thought. They thought that it was a transgression, but Jesus, as He does with His infinite wisdom, found a lesson in that statement.

Now, Jesus is in no way trying to encourage gluttony. Gluttony is, in fact, a sin! What he is saying is that we shouldn’t think that it’s what we eat that defiles us. He didn’t say how much we eat, but what we eat.

“…but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Note the keyword “what”. The quality of your words determines your quality as a human. Whether you are pure or impure is determined by your choice of words! Most times, some of the impressions we leave on people are due to what we said and how we said it.

There were two “ahhhhh” moments I had this week concerning this topic, and I would love to share them with you. First, let’s take a look at Revelation 19.

Revelation 19:21 (KJV):
“And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”

In the earlier verses of this chapter, we learn that the rider is called the “Word of God”. Who else in the bible is referred to as the Word of God? Jesus! Therefore, we know that the rider is Jesus Christ. Now, in the creation, precisely Genesis 1:26, we learn that there is a discussion in heaven about the creation of man. We know that by the phrase, “Let us…”.The next question was who the people were having this discussion. It's God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember, “… make man in our own image and likeness…”. Therefore, we are made in the likeness of God: a spirit, a soul, and a body. Our spirit corresponds with the Holy Spirit; the soul corresponds with the Father, and the body corresponds with the Son. Therefore, our human bodies are made in the image of Jesus Christ.

The connection here is this: what came out of the mouth of the rider was a sword, and we are made in the image of the rider. Therefore, what comes out of our mouth is likened to a sword, hence the weapon comparison. This sword can break down barriers, it can defend us, and at the same time, it can harm us.

The bible talks about the tongue in many places and in a polarizing manner. It tells us we use this sword to fight the spiritual battles, praise God, spread His word, and at the same time, we can sabotage ourselves with this sword, defile our bodies, and even harm others with this same sword.

Ephesians 5:4 (KJV):
"Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks."

This verse teaches that as believers, our words should reflect purity and gratitude. Instead of engaging in crude jokes, foolish speech, or conversations that dishonor God, we should use our lips to give thanks and speak life.

As I was researching, I came upon this verse, and it really hit me. Foolish talking and jesting that are not convenient. Foolish talk was my style😔. I’d tell a joke that would hurt someone without even thinking twice, or an inappropriate one. Most of my words were unedifying and unholy. The worst part was that most of my words were online!

What we say online counts! We should be cautious of what we say online...

Proverbs 10:19 (KJV):
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 10:19 (NLT):
“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

Wow! The bible is now telling us that we need to watch not only what we say, but how much we talk...

The Heart

Matthew 12:34–35 (KJV):
34. “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

The words of the mouth are governed by the thoughts and desires of the heart...

Philippians 4:8 (KJV):
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Psalm 34:1 (KJV):
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

We need to use our mouths to praise God...

James 3:9–10 (KJV):
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.”
Matthew 5:22 (KJV):
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Brothers and Sisters, I am not perfect...

Matthew 12:36–37 (KJV):
36. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

We will account for every word, even the idle ones...

The Bible Verses

Old Testament

Psalm 34:1
Psalm 34:13
Psalm 71:8
Psalm 119:171
Psalm 141:3
Proverbs 10:19
Proverbs 12:18
Proverbs 13:3
Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 21:23
Hosea 14:2

New Testament

Matthew 12:34–37
Matthew 15:11
Matthew 15:18–19
1 Corinthians 14:9
Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 4:6
Titus 3:2
Hebrews 13:15
James 1:26
James 2:12
James 3:2
James 3:3–10
James 3:8
James 4:11
James 5:12

By His Grace🙏🙏