What Does the Bible Say About Your Tongue?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

Words have power.

The tongue may be small, but the Bible makes it clear that it can build up or tear down, bring life or cause destruction.

Throughout Scripture, the way people use their words is connected to their character, faith, and relationships with others.

The Bible warns against reckless speech while encouraging believers to use their words for good.

Understanding what the Bible says about the tongue helps believers choose their words wisely and honor God in all they say.

The Tongue Has the Power of Life and Death

One of the most well-known verses about the tongue is Proverbs 18:21:

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

This verse shows that words are not neutral—they either bring life or cause harm.

Words of encouragement can uplift someone, giving them hope and strength to move forward.

But harsh, critical, or careless words can wound deeply, sometimes leaving scars that last a lifetime.

What comes out of a person’s mouth reveals what is in their heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

If a person’s heart is filled with love, kindness, and wisdom, their words will reflect that.

If their heart is filled with anger, bitterness, or selfishness, their words will reveal it.

Choosing words carefully is not just about being polite—it is about making sure the heart is right with God.

The Tongue Can Cause Great Destruction

James 3:5-6 gives a powerful warning about the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue:

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

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.”

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Stewardship?

James compares the tongue to a tiny spark that can set an entire forest ablaze.

A single careless word can destroy relationships, ruin reputations, and create lasting pain.

Gossip, slander, lies, and insults are all ways the tongue can be used to cause harm.

Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.

They spread like wildfire, often with consequences far beyond what was intended.

This is why the Bible repeatedly warns against speaking without thinking.

Proverbs 13:3 says, “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”

Controlling the tongue is not just about avoiding trouble—it is about living wisely and preventing unnecessary harm.

Speaking Truth with Love

While the Bible warns against destructive speech, it also teaches that words should be used for good.

Ephesians 4:15 says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Speaking truth is important, but it must be done with love.

Harsh truth, spoken without care, can wound rather than heal.

But truth spoken in love helps people grow and strengthens relationships.

Proverbs 16:24 describes the power of kind words:

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Encouraging words can bring healing and strength to those who are struggling.

A well-timed word of support can change someone’s day—or even their life.

The way believers speak should reflect the love and grace of Christ, offering hope rather than harm.

The Tongue Should Be Used for Praise

One of the greatest purposes of the tongue is to glorify God.

Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

Praising God through words is a way to acknowledge His greatness and draw closer to Him.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Trusting Others?

But James 3:9-10 warns about the danger of using the tongue for both good and evil:

“With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.

My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

Praising God while tearing down others is a contradiction.

The tongue should be used to honor God and reflect His goodness—not to speak words of anger, hatred, or division.

Avoiding Gossip and Slander

Gossip is one of the most common and destructive uses of the tongue.

Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

Even small, seemingly harmless gossip can create division, damage reputations, and break trust.

God calls believers to avoid spreading rumors and speaking negatively about others.

Leviticus 19:16 gives a direct command:

“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.

Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life.

I am the Lord.”

This means thinking before speaking and refusing to participate in conversations that tear others down.

Instead, the Bible encourages using words to build others up rather than destroy.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “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.”

Words should be used to uplift, encourage, and strengthen—not to harm.

The Importance of Keeping Promises

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s word.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 says, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”

God values honesty and integrity, and part of that is following through on commitments.

Breaking promises damages trust and credibility, while keeping them reflects God’s faithfulness.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Mocking God?

Jesus taught the importance of simple, truthful speech in Matthew 5:37:

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

This means being honest and reliable, ensuring that words align with actions.

The Tongue Must Be Controlled

Because words are powerful, the Bible teaches that self-control is essential when it comes to speech.

James 1:26 states, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”

True faith is reflected in self-discipline, including the way words are used.

Psalm 141:3 offers a wise prayer:

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Asking God for help in controlling speech is a sign of wisdom and humility.

By surrendering the tongue to God, believers can use their words in a way that honors Him and benefits others.

Final Thoughts

The Bible makes it clear that words have incredible power.

The tongue can bring life or death, healing or destruction, encouragement or harm.

Because of this, believers must be intentional about how they speak.

Words should be used to glorify God, build others up, and speak truth in love.

Gossip, slander, lies, and reckless speech should be avoided, while kindness, encouragement, and honesty should be embraced.

Controlling the tongue is not easy, but with God’s help, it is possible.

By guarding speech and choosing words carefully, believers can reflect the love and wisdom of Christ in everything they say.