Bible Verses About The Tongue

15 Bible verses about the tongue

1. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

   This verse teaches us that our words have the power to do great good or cause terrible harm.

2. "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

   Speaking without thinking can hurt someone like a sharp sword, but kind words make people feel better.

3. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

   When someone is mad, answering them with a gentle voice helps stop the fight before it starts.

4. "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

   Kind and honest words bring life and hope, while mean words hurt people deep on the inside.

5. "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."

   The more we talk, the easier it is to make mistakes, so keeping quiet is often very wise.

6. "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble."

   We can save ourselves from a lot of sad consequences simply by watching what we say.

7. "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"

   This is a wonderful prayer asking God to help us stop ourselves before we say something bad.

8. "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."

   God wants us to stay away from bad words and always tell the truth instead of lying.

9. "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"

   Even though our tongue is tiny, a single bad word can start a huge mess just like a little spark.

10. "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

    We cannot control our words perfectly by ourselves, which shows how much we need God's help.

11. "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

    True love for God will always show up in the way we control our speech.

12. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

    Our words should always be like nice gifts that make the people around us stronger and happier.

13. "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

    Our conversations should always be kind, helpful, and sweet to everyone we talk to.

14. "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,"

    Jesus reminds us that God hears and cares about every single word that comes out of our mouths.

15. "it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."

    The words we speak show the condition of our hearts, which is what matters most to God.

A prayer about the tongue

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the gift of speech. Please forgive me for the times I have used my words to hurt others or complain. Set a guard over my mouth today, Lord. Keep me from speaking in anger or telling lies. Fill my heart with Your love and peace so that my words will bring life and encouragement to everyone I talk to. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Common questions

Why does the Bible say the tongue is like a fire?

The Bible uses the picture of fire because a tiny spark can burn down a whole forest. In the same way, one small, mean word can spread quickly and cause huge damage to friendships, families, and churches. Just like we must be careful around real fire, we have to be very careful with the words we choose to speak.

How can I stop saying mean things when I am angry?

The best way is to stop and take a deep breath before you speak. You can silently ask God in your heart to help you stay calm. The Bible tells us that a soft answer turns away anger, so try to speak in a quiet, gentle voice instead of shouting back. Taking a moment to pray makes a big difference.

What does it mean to have speech seasoned with salt?

Salt makes food taste better and keeps it from rotting. When the Bible says our speech should be seasoned with salt, it means our words should be pleasant, helpful, and good for others to hear. Our talk should bring out the best in people and keep situations from turning bad or sour.

Can we really control our tongues on our own?

No, we cannot do it by ourselves. The book of James tells us that no human can tame the tongue alone. We need the Holy Spirit to give us self-control and change our hearts. When we ask Jesus to help us every day, He gives us the strength to speak with kindness and love.

Does God really care about every single word we say?

Yes, He does. Jesus told us that we will have to give an account for every careless word we speak. God cares because He loves us and He loves the people we talk to. Our words show if we are following Jesus and sharing His love, so every word we speak matters to Him.