The Psalmist declared in Psalm 141:3 a concise plea for God to station Himself as both guard and watchman over everything he says; recognising the destructive power of the tongue and our inability to control it.

A sober examination of each of the scriptures below tells the story of how uncontrolled hearing and the careless use of our tongue can make us wrong and an evil influence, and of the wrong impact it can have on the lives of others.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. James 3:2-10

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:26

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:34-37

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. 1 Peter 3:10

Listening carefully as a first step, helps you to filter for clarity of understanding what you hear.

Don’t interrupt or cut in when others are speaking; it shows a lack of respect.

If you tend to talk too much or too fast, stop! Ask yourself why you are talking so much. Is it

• insecurity
• anxiety
• need to control or
• desire to impress

Here is where the counsel of the wise man in Proverbs 10:18-21 is critical and a failure to heed makes us fall prey to being prey to the adversary (1 Peter 5:8).

Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utter railings are most foolish. By a multitude of words thou shalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wilt be prudent. The tongue of the just is tried silver; but the heart of the ungodly shall fail. The lips of the righteous know sublime truths: but the foolish die in want. Proverbs 10:18-21 LXX

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

When you understand the fullness of rage, you learn watchfulness and sobriety. Selah


Pastor Afolabi Oladele