You will learn in the following Scriptures that the tongue, though a very small member of the body, has enormous power for good or evil and must be continually controlled.

1.  Circle keywords or phrases in the following Scriptures.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7, 8 (NIV)

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:18, 25 (NIV)

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.  Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 1 Peter 3:10 (NIV)

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 (NIV)

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." Psalm 39:1

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26

Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit. Psalm 52:2 (NIV)

2.  What do we learn about our tongues in:
 

James 3:7, 8
Proverbs 12:18, 25
Proverbs 21:23
1 Peter 3:10
Proverbs 13:3
Colossians 4:6
Psalm 39:1
James 1:26
Psalm 52:2
 

3.  How can I apply the truth of these verses to my life today?

Think Before Speaking

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. — Proverbs 15:28

At the end of the week, who will have made more progress toward becoming a truth-telling person—the one who carefully monitors his/her words or the gusher who lets
whatever forms in his/her mind spew forth from their mouth? The Bible would vote for the person who slows down, considers carefully and holds back.

We don’t have to participate in every conversation. We don’t have to express every thought that comes to mind. We do have to pause and carefully consider our words before we speak. When ideas and words are forming in our brains, we should stop and ask: First, are our forthcoming words necessary? If they’re not, why say them? Why needlessly increase the volume of our words and thereby create more opportunities for sin? Second, are our forthcoming words true? Are they absolutely, unquestionably true? If they’re not, we should not spend one more minute thinking them, let alone speaking them. How many deceitful and destructive words might be silenced if we took the time to consider those two simple questions?

Apply: The next time you’re tempted to jump into a conversation, ask the two questions mentioned above. Notice how often thinking before speaking causes you to simply fall silent.