Watch your tongue!

How easy is it to hurt someone with poorly chosen words... I have experienced that many times and I know that other's have been hurt by my words as well. We can use the tongue to rip each other apart or to build each other up in kindness. Which choice is better? I think we all agree that the latter is better. Why then do we so often cause others pain and sadness because we don't watch our tongues? What can we learn about the tongue from the Bible? A whole buch! Let's take a look...

From the book of Proverbs:

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." -10:19

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." -12:18

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly... The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit" -15:1-2,4

"A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble." -17:20

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."-17:28

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." -18:21

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."-21:23

"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 person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell... With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." - James 3:5-6,9-10

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it..."" -1 Peter 3:8-11

Great words of wisdom if you ask me! So watch your tongues! May your words be sweet, cause you might have to eat them ;oP