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The Bible has much to say about our speech. There are over 100 verses in Proverbs alone about the tongue. We could go in many directions when it comes to the things we say but for this study we will focus on verses remind us of the power of the tongue.

In the front of your Bible, write: The Power of the Tongue- Job 19:1,2

Then Job responded, “How long will you torment me And crush me with words?”

Circle “words.” What are we capable of doing with our words? Underline “torment” and “crush.” At the end of the verse, write Psa. 39:1.

I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.”

Circle “tongue” and “mouth.” Underline “sin” and put a square around both occurrences of the word “guard.” At the end of the verse, write 52:2-4.

Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, o worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah. You love all words that devour, o deceitful tongue.

In verse two, circle “tongue” and underline “destruction.” In verse four, circle “words” and “tongue” and underline “devour” and “deceitful.” At the end of the verse, write 141:3.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Circle “mouth” and “lips.” Put a square around “set a guard” and “keep watch.” We need God’s help guarding our tongue! At the end of the verse, write Prov. 6:16-19.

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

In verse 16, underline “the Lord hates” and “abomination.” Circle the three things that have to do with our speech: “a lying tongue,” “false witness,” and “spreads strife.” In the margin next to “abomination,” write “thing of horror.” It’s the same word translated as “object of loathing” in Psalm 88:8. At the end of verse 19, write 10:19.

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Circle “words” and “lips.” Underline “transgression is unavoidable” and put a square around “restrains.” At the end of the verse, write 12:18.

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Circle “speaks rashly” and “tongue of the wise.” Underline “thrusts of a sword” and “brings healing.” What a contrast! At the end of the verse, write 15:4.

A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.

Circle “soothing tongue” and “perversion in it.” Underline “tree of life” and “crushes the spirit.” Another contrast! Our words can give life or crush someone’s spirit. At the end of the verse, write v. 23.

A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!

Circle “apt answer” and “timely word.” Underline “joy” and “delightful.” At the end of the verse, write v. 28.

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Circle “mouth of the wicked” and underline “pours out evil things.” At the end of the verse, write 17:20.

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Circle “perverted in his language” and underline “falls into evil.” At the end of the verse, write v. 27,28.

He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

In verse 27, circle “restrains his words” and underline “has knowledge.” In verse 28, circle “keeps silent” and “closes his lips” and underline “considered wise” and “considered prudent.” At the end of the verse, write 18:21.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Circle “power of the tongue” and underline “death and life.” A great verse to memorize! At the end of the verse, write 21:23.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.

Put a square around both occurrences of “guard.” Circle “mouth” and “tongue.” Underline “soul from troubles.” At the end of the verse, write 26:28.

A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Circle “lying tongue” and “flattering mouth.” Underline “crushes” and “works ruin.” At the end of the verse, write 31:26.

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Circle “mouth” and “tongue.” Underline “wisdom” and “teaching of kindness.” At the end of the verse, write Matt. 12:36,37.

But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

In verse 36, circle “every careless word” and underline “give accounting for it in the day of judgment.” In verse 37, circle both occurrences of “words” and underline “justified” and “condemned.” At the end of the verse, write Luke 6:45.

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Circle “mouth speaks” and underline “what is good” and “what is evil.” In the margin, write “My speech reveals my heart.” At the end of the verse, write Eph. 4:29.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Draw a square around “let no.” Circle “unwholesome word,” “mouth,” and “a word.” Underline “good for edification” and “give grace to those who hear.” At the end of the verse, write 5:4.

…and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Draw a square around “there must be no.” Circle “filthiness,” “silly talk,” and “coarse jesting.” Underline “not fitting.” At the end of the verse, write James 1:26.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

Circle “does not bridle his tongue” and underline “this man’s religion is worthless.” At the end of the verse, write 3:5-10.

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

In verse five, circle “tongue” and underline “boasts of great things.” In verse six, circle both occurrences of “tongue” and underline “defiles the entire body,” “sets on fire,” and “set on fire.” Underline all of verse eight and circle “tongue.” In verse nine, circle both occurrences of “it” and underline “we bless” and “we curse.” In verse ten, circle “mouth” and underline “come both blessing and cursing.” At the end of verse ten, write 1 Pet. 3:10.

The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

Squiggly underline “desires life, to love and see good days.” Circle “tongue” and “lips.” Underline “Keep…from evil” and “speaking deceit.”

Additional Thoughts:

1. How often do we try to excuse our words? “I was tired.” “I’m blunt” or “brutally honest.” “I speak my mind.” After seeing how God feels about our speech, are these valid excuses?
2. Notice the power of the tongue goes both ways. We can do a lot of harm but we can also do a lot of good. Perhaps we need to start utilizing this power more to do good in the kingdom and in our community!

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy is married to Neal Pollard, who preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. They have three grown sons, all married, 2 new grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way! Kathy attended Faulkner University and Bear Valley Bible Institute and has a bachelor’s degree in Bible. She is the author of the book, Return to Me…What to Do When Loved Ones Fall Away. She and Carla Moore host a weekly podcast for Christian women called Looking Up. Kathy enjoys spending time with family, traveling to Israel, tending her gardens, and getting to know her new dairy cow, Peaches.

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