Need to Control Our Tongues

By Jimmy W. Cox

    Almost all of us are aware that murder, all kinds of stealing, various kinds of assaults on different people, failing to obey laws passed by various governments, etc. are wrong. But there are many that do not seem to understand that we can sin by the things we say.

    "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (Jas.3:6).

     We are not just talking about using vulgar language, but the things that are said, that we shouldn’t have said. "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who had been made in the similitude of God." (Jas. 3:8-9).

     So, we should recognize the need to control our tongue. "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. (Matt. 12:36).

     Our religion is vain unless we bridle our tongue. "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. (Jas. 1:26).

    We all should see the problem, we have the gift of speech, but it can be used for good, or for sin. "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. . . The face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Pet. 10-12).

    Purify the mind– Filthy mouths come from filthy minds. "Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart and defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Mt. 15:18.

    If a person is not yet a Christian and wants all his sins forgiven, he or she must: Believe in Jesus Christ Heb. 11:6; Repent of sins, Acts 2:38; Publicly confess Christ, Matt. 10:32-33; Be baptized into Christ, Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:3-6).

    If a Christian has committed sin, he or she must repent and pray for forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Eph. 4:29).

- Jimmy W. Cox, who attended the Columbia Church of Christ in Columbia, MS, was a longtime supporter of BulletinGold. He passed away in January 2011.