It is a known fact that almost all people have trouble controlling their tongue. It is hard to know at times when to speak and what to speak. God tells us that there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent (Ecc. 3:7). Sometimes we speak when we should be silent and sometimes we remain silent when we should speak.
God demands that all of us learn to control our tongue. If we do not learn to do so, then our religion is vain, or no good (James 1:26). Many have and continue to cancel out their religion because they have never learned to bring their tongue into submission.
Some people’s tongues run all the time. They continue to put out malicious gossip. Some people cut others to the heart with what they say and seem not to care at all. Others talk filthy, cuss, and take the name of God in vain, tell filthy jokes, etc. These things should not be (James 3:9-10).
All of us should remember that just as God sees all things, He hears all things. What we say is very important. It is so important that we will give an account in the Day of Judgment for what we have spoken (Matt. 12:36-37).
What can people do that would help them to control their tongues? First, they should ask God to help them with this shortcoming. In all weaknesses we need divine help and therefore we should pray. Some folks’ weakness is their tongue and so they should pray that God would strengthen and help them to say right things.
Second, we should always learn to keep our cool. I realize there is a place for righteous indignation, but let us make sure that it is righteous indignation and not a quick storm of anger over nothing! When we are quick to anger we not only say things we should not, but we often do things we should not. He who can control his spirit has accomplished a great thing (Prov. 16:32).
Third, we should think carefully before we speak. It is often the case that we speak and then we think. Our words should always be with grace seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6). If we would stop and think about what we are about to say, many of the things said would go unsaid. Learn to think before you speak. Some people seem to glory in the fact that they say what they think. There is no glory to this if what we say is inappropriate and unsuitable.
We should all remember that words once spoken can never be recovered. We might try to correct but they have already been said. There are two passages I want to leave with you. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Prov. 25:11), and “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1).
-Malcolm L. Hill (1934–2012), Founder of Tennessee Bible College
