Misuse of the tongue – Sins of the tongue

Holy Bible

You need your tongue to chew, swallow, and sing. You taste with it, talk with it, and sometimes even stick it out! What is evil tongue? A tongue which speak evil things is an evil tongue. A tongue can make friends, make enemies, make another person happy, make another person cry and much more. So a tongue is very powerful part of the human body. It is apparent that we all have within our power many uses of the tongue that are good and acceptable with God. But there are specific references to types of misuse of the tongue as well. You witness the misuse of the tongue every day. Whether it is your classmates who gossip and betray one another, or people who verbally abuse each other, you see it all the time! The tongue can be a powerful tool for good or a powerful weapon for those who are bent on evil. The tongue has the ability to determine the direction of our lives. It can make or break us.  The tongue is certainly an essential tool in carrying out our God given responsibilities. It is safe to say that any misuse of the tongue like cursing, backbiting, lying, spreading rumour, or presenting false doctrine is done to cover up a weakness. If one is able to control his tongue, he is a mature person able to control his whole body. Lack of control means just the opposite of control and is an indication of gross immaturity.

We want to see how specifically the Scriptures speak out against sins of the tongue.

12 If you blow on a spark, it will glow;
    if you spit on it, it will be put out;
    yet both come out of your mouth.

13 Curse the gossips and the double-tongued,
    for they destroy the peace of many.

14 Slander has shaken many,
    and scattered them from nation to nation;
it has destroyed strong cities,
    and overturned the houses of the great.

15 Slander has driven virtuous women from their homes,
    and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.

16 Those who pay heed to slander will not find rest,
    nor will they settle down in peace.

17 The blow of a whip raises a welt,
    but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.

18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
    but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.

19 Happy is the one who is protected from it,
    who has not been exposed to its anger,
who has not borne its yoke,
    and has not been bound with its fetters.

20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron,
    and its fetters are fetters of bronze;

21 its death is an evil death,
    and Hades is preferable to it.

22 It has no power over the godly;
    they will not be burned in its flame.

23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power;
    it will burn among them and will not be put out.
It will be sent out against them like a lion;
    like a leopard it will mangle them.

24a As you fence in your property with thorns,
25b     so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.
24b As you lock up your silver and gold,
25a     so make balances and scales for your words.

26 Take care not to err with your tongue,
    and fall victim to one lying in wait. (Sirach 28:12 to 26)

Obviously we have all misused our tongues. Think of a situation you remember where you sinned in this way. If possible try to ask pardon to that person you hurt with your tongue, else remember him in your prayers and ask pardon in prayer to God for the sin done with your tongue. Ready, Set, Done