45 Important Bible Verses About Taming The Tongue

The tongue is among the smallest organ in the human body, yet the most destructive one if wrongly used. The tongue has the capacity to call things into manifestation, both good and bad. To tame the tongue simply means the act of speaking constructively, making sure that no sort of negativity proceeds out from our mouth. It is important to tame the tongue because it has the power to build and tear people down. As Christians, we have been admonished to always ensure that our words are seasoned with grace and not to speak carelessly like one who have no control over his tongue. The Bible records that the power of life and death is in the tongue. This entails that what we say can either give life, hope and  encouragement or cause havoc and wreck. Sadly, whatever that is spoken can not be taken back, if it is meant to cause pain, the pain will be inflected immediately, and if it is for good, the goodness will be felt as well. At such, let us strive to ensure that we make very good use of our tongues.

In our Christian journey of faith, taming the tongue is an important path that must be treaded by every believer. We cannot fully operate in Christ if our tongues are loosed, the Holy spirit will not be present in our lives. So at all cost, our tongues must be bridled. The scripture teaches us that when we keep our tongues, we keep our lives and in the multitude of talks, sin is inevitable. Taming our tongues help is a Christ-like character that distinguishes us from others and also bring about maturity in Christ. One of the most effective ways to tame our tongues, is by keeping our hearts pure. For the Bible said that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouths speaks”. It is what goes on in our hearts that proceeds from our mouths, so when the heart is free from malicious thoughts, pride, envy and other ungodly traits, then only will the words of our mouths be seasoned with grace and love. Join us in this article as we study some powerful scriptures that teach about the power of the tongue.

SEE ALSO: 43 Important Bible Verses About Being Genuine

What Does The Bible Say About Taming The Tongue?

The Bible teachings on taming the tongue is clear and direct and it encourages us to control it. Taming the tongue is not a physical activity, it is a spiritual work that can only be achieved with the help of the holy Spirit and as well conscious dedication. James described the tongue as an element that is capable of setting a great forest on fire with just a small spark.

Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. This scripture highlights the essence of using our tongues rightly, because in it lies the power of life and death. Our verbal communication can either be a blessing or a curse. No matter how insignificant the words we say may sound, those words have to power to build and destroy, so let’s learn to use our tongues wisely.

Psalms 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips”. The state of our hearts determines the words that will proceed out from our mouths. To set watch over our lips, we must first set watch over our hearts, being conscious of the things that goes on in there.

Ephesians 4:29 “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 believers who are walking on the path of righteousness, this scripture underscores that the words of our mouth must be filled with goodness. The words our mouths must be beneficial to those who listen to them, bringing them hope and healing. The scripture offers us great wisdom on how to use our tongues to the glory of God.

Bible Verses About Taming The Tongue

1. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
2. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. – James 1:26
3. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
4. 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. – Ephesians 4:29
5. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. – Colossians 4:6
6. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
7. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark! – James 3:5
8. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. – Psalm 141:3
9. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. – Proverbs 12:18
10. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. – Proverbs 10:19
11. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. – Matthew 12:36-37
12. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
13. If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! – Proverbs 30:32
14. The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. – Isaiah 50:4
15. All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. – Luke 4:22
16. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. – 1 Peter 2:23
17. A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. – Proverbs 20:19
18. Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord. – Leviticus 19:16
19. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. – Proverbs 16:28
20. Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate. – Psalm 101:5
21. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. – Proverbs 11:13
22. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32
23. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. – Proverbs 15:4
24. Do everything without grumbling or arguing. – Philippians 2:14
25. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
26. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. – Proverbs 31:26
27. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:11
28. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34
29. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23
30. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6
31. Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. – Proverbs 25:11
32. It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person. – Matthew 15:11
33. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. – James 3:10
34. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. – Titus 3:2
35. Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. – Psalm 52:2
36. Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. – Proverbs 17:9
37. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. – Psalm 37:30 
38. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20 
39. For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. – Proverbs 26:20 
40. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. – James 3:2 
41. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14 
42. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? – James 3:11 
43. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. – Proverbs 15:28 
44. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. – Proverbs 10:18 
45. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. – Proverbs 17:27-28