Tongue Tips
Proper use of the tongue is a common theme within the Scriptures. It is so important that the unity of the church depends upon it. 1 Corinthians 1:10 says, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you…” Clearly, if we fail to “speak the same thing” division will be our fruit. To maintain unity, Paul encouraged the Colossian brethren saying, “And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (3:17). Every word that rolls off of our tongues should be no less dignified than the author of our salvation—Jesus Christ. In fact, one of the best ways to avoid division is to let God’s Word be our answer. 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” If we do this, certain things will happen…
We will speak honestly. If we speak as God speaks we will not bother with gossip, hearsay, rumors and lies. God only speaks truth. Hebrews 6:17,18 says, “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” On the other hand, the devil is called the “father of lies” (John 8:43,44).
We will speak peacefully. Words filled with hypocrisy, arrogance and harshness are not words we have been led to say by God. James 3:14-18 says, “…if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Our words should lead us to be peacemakers and not troublemakers.
We will speak boldly. Being peacemakers does not mean we should be wishy-washy, compromising chameleons in our speech. There will be times we must speak the truth to an audience that does not want to hear it. Sadly, the failure of others to accept the truth may even lead to division. We must not fellowship ”the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11). These situations may act as a sword dividing our own families (Matthew 10:34). Boldness often brings persecution in its many forms. With Jesus, it brought a cross. With Stephen, it brought stones (Acts 7). With Paul, it brought imprisonment and mockery (Acts 17:18; 21:30). No matter its consequences, bold righteousness will be rewarded (Matt. 5:10).
We will speak hopefully. The Word of God is a message of hope for all who have sinned and gone astray. In fact, our very faith is based on a hopeful expectation that God will reward His children (Hebrews 11:6). Should not the tone and tenor of our tongues also be filled with hope for mankind? Pessimism, hopelessness and an “I give up” attitude are not respectable attributes. Instead, for the alien sinner our hope should be that Christ saves them (Luke 19:10), for the erring Christian our earnest desire should be for their restoration (Galatians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 5:5), and for our daily tasks as Christians we should have the utmost confidence we can perform what God requires (Phil. 4:13).
Think about it.
March 2005