When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 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. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Believers are created to emulate Jesus; we are to be like him in all our ways, that is why we are being called Christians; that is, we are Christ like. Throughout the ministry of our lord Jesus, he did not engage himself in harsh, idle or any word that will not bring glory to God. Jesus Christ was never a talkative; he speaks when it is important and the word that he spoke imparted lives- He talked with wisdom. He used his words to heal, save, to give hope, to raise the dead and to deliver.
He did not speak any idle word, he did not involve himself in gossip, neither did he speak evil or backbite anybody.
The words of our mouth should be the one that will benefit listeners and bring glory to the name of God. God does not want us to involve ourselves in derogatory words or any careless talks that adds no value to listeners; he does not want us to involve ourselves In gossips, backbiting and other sinful utterances. As long as you keep talking without cautioning yourself, you might end up saying what God will record as sin for you. If you are in a gathering; be courteous and choose to listen more and talk less. The scripture says the more the word the less the meaning… (Ecc 6:11).
While engaging yourself in too much talk, you might get carried away and start saying what should not be heard of a Christ like person. You might engage yourself in an unnecessary argument that would result in fight, and as disciples of God; we must not fight (2 Timothy 2:23-24).
The scripture says whatever we do; we should do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
When you are in a gathering; don’t speak because you want people to know you are there, take time to listen and when you are ready to talk, let it reflect Jesus, let your words add value to lives! Do not use your word to pull people down.
1Peter 4:11 says “if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.”
Out text talks about the tongues as a small part of our body that is capable of destroying someone. Some people had used their mouth to reveal their secret to their enemies. Many met their Waterloo as a result of their inability to caution their tongues/mouths.
You only need to spend few minutes with some people before you will know what is happening in their homes and what happened in their lineage before they were born!
God gave us two ears and one mouth; He wants us to make use of our ears more. Listen more and be careful to speak. Indeed we all make many mistakes; for if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way
(James 3:2).
