THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

Prov. 18:21

INTRODUCTION.

1. No other book deals with the power of words – speech – so powerfully and fully. The instructions are direct, pointed, and practical. Right use is praised, wrong use is condemned, empty and foolish words are reproved.

2. Words are of great value and interest, not only for what they say, but what they show about the speaker. They show whether he is bold or shy; skilled in language; his self-image; how he weighs his words or uses them recklessly.

3. Speech has great potential for good or evil; use it with care. With it we may win friends or alienate others; inspire faith or create doubt; encourage or preach defeat.

4. Through the tongue marriages are formed or dissolved; many are won to Christ. Hasty, thoughtless words destroy friendships or drive some from church.

5. Consider some proverbs on the use of the tongue.

I. WORDS OF WISDOM AND ENCOURAGEMENT (1:2-3)

A. This is the aim of the book – to instruct in righteousness (1:23-26).

B. It sets forth words of wisdom (8:6-9). Wisdom speaks.

C. Wholesome speech is the medium of instruction (10:8, 11).

D. Righteous speech is powerful to influence for good and produce fruit.

1. 10:11 – a fountain of life

2. 12:17, 19 – endures forever

3. 18:21 – life and death

E. See James 3:2-5

II. MISUSES OF THE TONGUE

A. The wicked use crooked speech to devise and carry out evil plans (6:12, 14).

B. God hates a lying tongue (6:17, 19; 24:28).

C. Smooth and seductive speech is used to lead the simple astray (7:5, 21).

D. The godless destroys his neighbor with his mouth (11:9).

E. The mouth of the wicked is contrasted with the one who thinks before he speaks (15:28).

F. The whisperer or gossip ruins good relationships (16:28; 17:9).

G. The slanderer or tale-bearer should be avoided (20:19).

III. RIGHT USES OF THE TONGUE

A. Be careful what you say – think first (14:15).

1. Eccles. 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

2. Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

B. A soft answer is better than harsh words (15:1-2).

C. Gracious words are pleasant (16:24).

D. Sometimes we need to restrain our words (17:27).

E. Keep your tongue and keep out of trouble (21:23).

F. Be fair and reasonable in what you say about others (25:9).

1. Eph. 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

G. A word fitly spoken is worth much (25:11).

1. Col. 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

H. Rebuke is better than flattery (28:23).