“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)
How do we know what is in someone's heart? Jesus said we should listen to what they say. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34-37). James agrees. The tongue, while a small part of the body, reveals our heart. With our tongue we can both bless people and encourage them, or we can tear them down. James goes so far to say that if we make claims to be religious but we don't watch what we say carefully, our religion is worthless!
Paul would agree as well. Ephesians 4:29 indicates that we should use our speech to benefit others, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” As Christians we are to have a 'reign' on our tongue. We are to keep what we say in check so that when we speak we are conscious of using our language in a beneficial way.
Gossip, slander, innuendo, destructive jabs and sarcastic cuts at others have no place in the kingdom of God. These ungodly ways of using our tongue have very negative impacts on other people. The tongue does hold the power of life and death (see Prov. 12:18; Prov. 17:27; 18:8; Prov. 18:21).
Here are the questions: Are we aware of how we speak to others-our friends, co-workers, family members? Do we understand that what we say has tremendous consequences in the lives of others? Let us consider very carefully the impact our speech. Once words leave our mouths we cannot put them back in! They do their work.