What does the Bible say about taming your tongue?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that our words reveal the condition of our hearts and must be brought under Christ's gracious rule, using speech to give life, truth, and edification rather than harm. Proverbs 21:23 and Psalm 141:3 urge watchfulness over the mouth, while Proverbs 15:1 commends the gentle answer that turns away wrath. James 3:2-10 humbles us by showing the tongue's great power and our need for God's transforming grace. Ephesians 4:29 calls believers to speak what builds others up, and 1 Peter 3:10 joins guarded speech to the pursuit of life and peace. Since words can wound or heal, Christians should repent quickly, pray for self-control, and depend on the Holy Spirit to make their speech reflect the mercy of Christ.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 21:23
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
- James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.
- Psalms 141:3
Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.
- James 3:2-10
[2] For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. [3] Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. [4] Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. [5] So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! [6] And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. [7] For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. [8] But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. [9] With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. [10] Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
- Proverbs 12:18
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, But the tongue of the wise heals.
- Psalms 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking lies.
- Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.
- 1 Peter 3:10
For, "He who would love life, And see good days, Let him keep his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
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