The Destructive Potential of the Tongue

We use our words to hurt others and make them look bad.

Gossip: Idle talk which foolishly or maliciously spreads rumors or facts.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.Proverbs 26:20

Backbiting: Malicious talk about an absent person; To slander the absent, like a dog biting behind the back, where one cannot see.

Slander: False and malicious talk about others.

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.Psalm 101:5

Hurtful words or Name-Calling: Demeaning, disparaging or condescending speech directed to a person for the purpose of injury.

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.Proverbs 12:18

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.Proverbs 11:9

Judging or Criticizing: a negative evaluation of others; implying a harsh or disapproving estimate of people or their actions.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.James 4:11

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.Romans 14:10

We use our words to build ourselves up and make us look good.

Boasting: showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one’s achievements, possessions, etc.

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.Galatians 5:26

Lying: Statements or answers which are untrue. Lying, false witness, deceit or false dealings.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.Ephesians 4:25

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.Proverbs 12:22

Why do we lie? The fear of God and the fear of man.

Vulgar Talk: lacking sophistication or good taste; explicit talk or use of inappropriate language.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.Ephesians 4:29

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.Colossians 3:8

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.Proverbs 15:4

We use our words to accuse God or to make Him who we want Him to be.

Complaining: The expression of a grievance or displeasure, usually against the actions and attitudes of others including God himself.

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?Lamentations 3:39

And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.Numbers 11:1

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;Philippians 2:14-15

Blasphemy: The profaning, desecration and taking in vain of the name of God, or the reviling of any of his works or deeds.

Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.Psalm 74:18

These destructive uses of our speech are rarely isolated, but spread quickly in our hearts and minds.

These destructive uses of our speech are used in a damaging combination to bring quick destruction that is not easily contained.

The damage done by our words can have lifelong ramifications.