Denver Seminary

"May the Lord cut off all divisive lips, (and) the tongue
that boasts of great things." (Psalm 12:4)

Scripture has much to say about the power of the tongue. When misused and left unbridled, the tongue can cause profound damage to the lives of its hearers: it oppresses the poor and needy (Ps 12:6), it brings destruction (Pro 10:14), it promotes violence (Pro 13:2), it invites ruin (Pro 17:20, 26:28), it spreads poison (Rom 3:13, James 3:8), it sows strife and discord (Pro 18:6, 21:9), and it even brings death (Pro 18:21). In other words, it affects its victims deeply and often irreparably.

The righteous tongue on the other hand produces results that reflect the very nature of God. A tamed and instructed tongue reveals divine wisdom (Pro 10:31, 18:4), it brings health to the body (Pro 16:24), it interrupts strife and conflicts (Pro 26:20), it keeps its owner from trouble (Pro 21:23), it authenticates godly leadership (Mal 2:7), it confirms one’s eternal salvation (Phil 2:11), it supports peace and unity (1 Peter 3:10-11), and it promotes life (Pro 15:4, 18:21, 1 Peter 3:10). 

What a powerful tool God has given each one of us. How we use this tool is left to our own discretion. We can choose to build up or to tear down, to bless or to curse, to unite or to divide, and to heal or to hurt; the choice is ours. With the gift of speech comes great responsibility. Let us choose to imitate God and to create a world that is impacted powerfully and positively by the Word of God so that the Kingdom of God may be established in our midst.