Bible – The Bible Society of Lesotho

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.

The Bible is rich with wisdom regarding the power of our words. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that the tongue—though small—holds the capacity to uplift, destroy, heal, or harm. The words we speak can shape destinies, mend relationships, or cause deep wounds. Let’s explore seven Bible verses that illuminate the profound power of the tongue.

1. Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

The words we choose to speak can bring encouragement, love, and healing, or they can cause hurt, division, and destruction. The “fruits” we reap from our words reflect their power—whether for good or ill.

2. James 3:5-6 – “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.”

Although it is a small part of the body, the tongue can cause significant harm, much like a small spark can ignite an entire forest fire. James warns believers of the dangers of careless speech, reminding us that words can spread like wildfire, causing damage that can be difficult to undo.

3. Proverbs 12:18 – “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Words spoken in haste or anger can cut deeply, inflicting pain and damage similar to physical wounds. Conversely, wise and thoughtful words can bring comfort, peace, and restoration, highlighting the importance of controlling our speech and choosing our words carefully.

4. Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

We are urged to avoid corrupting or harmful talk and instead speak in ways that edify and encourage others. Words have the power to build up or tear down, and we are encouraged to use our speech to impart grace and support to those around us.

5. Proverbs 15:4 – “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

A gentle tongue, like a tree of life, offers nourishment, strength, and growth. In contrast, perverse or harsh speech can crush a person’s spirit, leading to discouragement and despair. The verse encourages us to speak with kindness and gentleness, fostering life and growth in others.

6. Matthew 12:36-37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew are a sobering reminder of the accountability we have for our speech. Every word we speak—careless or otherwise—will be subject to judgment. Our words reflect our hearts, and they play a role in our justification or condemnation. This verse underscores the importance of being mindful of our speech, knowing that it has eternal consequences.

7. Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Words that are kind, loving, and considerate are likened to honeycomb—sweet and nourishing, bringing joy and health to both the speaker and the listener. The verse encourages us to speak in ways that bring sweetness and well-being to others, reflecting the love and grace of God through our words.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently teaches that the tongue, though small, wields immense power. It can bring life or death, healing or harm, joy or sorrow. As followers of Christ, we are called to use our words wisely, to speak life, and to reflect God’s love through our speech. By guarding our tongues and choosing our words carefully, we can positively influence those around us and honor God with our speech.

The Teaching of the Ancestors

(Mark 7.1-13)

1 About this time some Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses came from Jerusalem. They asked Jesus, 2 “Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? They don't even wash their hands before they eat.”

3 Jesus answered:

Why do you disobey God and follow your own teaching? 4 Didn't God command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? 5 But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they have has been offered to God. 6 Is this any way to show respect to your parents? You ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. 7 And you are nothing but show-offs! Isaiah the prophet was right when he wrote that God had said,

8 “All of you praise me

with your words,

but you never really

think about me.

9 It is useless for you

to worship me,

when you teach rules

made up by humans.”

What Really Makes People Unclean

(Mark 7.14-23)

10 Jesus called the crowd together and said, “Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. 11 The food you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean.”

12 Then his disciples came over to him and asked, “Do you know you insulted the Pharisees by what you said?”

13 Jesus answered, “Every plant that my Father in heaven did not plant will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch.”

15 Peter replied, “What did you mean when you talked about the things that make people unclean?”

16 Jesus then said:

Don't any of you know by now what I am talking about? 17 Don't you know that the food you put into your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body? 18 But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God. 19 Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. 20 These are what make you unclean. Eating without washing your hands will not make you unfit to worship God.

A Woman's Faith

(Mark 7.24-30)

21 Jesus left and went to the territory near the towns of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Suddenly a Canaanite woman from there came out shouting, “Lord and Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is full of demons.” 23 Jesus did not say a word. But the woman kept following along and shouting, so his disciples came up and asked him to send her away.

24 Jesus said, “I was sent only to the people of Israel! They are like a flock of lost sheep.”

25 The woman came closer. Then she knelt down and begged, “Please help me, Lord!”

26 Jesus replied, “It isn't right to take food away from children and feed it to dogs.”

27 “Lord, this is true,” the woman said, “but even puppies get the crumbs that fall from their owner's table.”

28 Jesus answered, “Dear woman, you really do have a lot of faith, and you will be given what you want.” At that moment her daughter was healed.

Jesus Heals Many People

29 From there, Jesus went along Lake Galilee. Then he climbed a hill and sat down. 30 Large crowds came and brought many people who were paralyzed or blind or lame or unable to talk. They placed them, and many others, in front of Jesus, and he healed them all. 31 Everyone was amazed at what they saw and heard. People who had never spoken could now speak. The lame were healed, the paralyzed could walk, and the blind were able to see. Everyone was praising the God of Israel.

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand

(Mark 8.1-10)

32 Jesus called his disciples together and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me for three days, and they don't have anything to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry. They might faint on their way home.”

33 His disciples said, “This place is like a desert. Where can we find enough food to feed such a crowd?”

34 Jesus asked them how much food they had. They replied, “Seven small loaves of bread and a few little fish.”

35 After Jesus had told the people to sit down, 36 he took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks. He then broke them and handed them to his disciples, who passed them around to the crowds.

37 Everyone ate all they wanted, and the leftovers filled seven large baskets.

38 There were 4,000 men who ate, not counting the women and children.

39 After Jesus had sent the crowds away, he got into a boat and sailed across the lake. He came to shore near the town of Magadan.

1 Then came to Iesus the Scribes and Pharises, which were of Hierusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgresse the tradition of the Elders? for they wash not their hands when they eate bread. 3 But he answered and said vnto them, Why doe yee also transgresse the commandement of God by your tradition? 4 For God hath commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoeuer shall say to father or mother, By the gift that is offered by me, thou maiest haue profite, 6 Though hee honour not his father, or his mother, shalbe free: thus haue ye made the commandement of God of no aucthoritie by your tradition. 7 O hypocrites, Esaias prophecied well of you, saying, 8 This people draweth neere vnto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with the lips, but their heart is farre off from me. 9 But in vaine they worship me, teaching for doctrines, mens precepts. 10 Then hee called the multitude vnto him, and said to them, Heare and vnderstand. 11 That which goeth into the mouth, defileth not the man, but that which commeth out of the mouth, that defileth the man. 12 Then came his disciples, and saide vnto him, Perceiuest thou not, that the Pharises are offended in hearing this saying? 13 But hee answered and saide, Euery plant which mine heauenly Father hath not planted, shalbe rooted vp. 14 Let them alone, they be the blinde leaders of the blinde: and if the blinde leade ye blinde, both shall fall into the ditche. 15 Then answered Peter, and said to him, Declare vnto vs this parable. 16 Then said Iesus, Are ye yet without vnderstanding? 17 Perceiue ye not yet, that whatsoeuer entreth into the mouth, goeth into the bellie, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those thinges which proceede out of the mouth, come from the heart, and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come euil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, slaunders. 20 These are the things, which defile the man: but to eat with vnwashen hands, defileth not ye man. 21 And Iesus went thence, and departed into the coastes of Tyrus and Sidon. 22 And beholde, a woman a Cananite came out of the same coasts, and cried, saying vnto him, Haue mercie on me, O Lord, the sonne of Dauid: my daughter is miserably vexed with a deuil. 23 But hee answered her not a worde. Then came to him his disciples, and besought him, saying, Sende her away, for she crieth after vs. 24 But he answered, and said, I am not sent, but vnto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel. 25 Yet she came, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, helpe me. 26 And he answered, and said, It is not good to take the childrens bread, and to cast it to whelps. 27 But she said, Trueth, Lord: yet in deede the whelpes eate of the crommes, which fall from their masters table. 28 Then Iesus answered, and saide vnto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it to thee, as thou desirest. And her daughter was made whole at that houre. 29 So Iesus went away from thence, and came neere vnto the sea of Galile, and went vp into a mountaine and sate downe there. 30 And great multitudes came vnto him, hauing with them, halt, blinde, dumme, maymed, and many other, and cast them downe at Iesus feete, and he healed them. 31 In so much that the multitude wondered, to see the dumme speake, the maimed whole, the halt to goe, and the blinde to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. 32 Then Iesus called his disciples vnto him, and said, I haue compassion on this multitude, because they haue continued with mee already three dayes, and haue nothing to eate: and I wil not let them depart fasting, least they faint in the way. 33 And his disciples saide vnto him, Whence should we get so much bread in the wildernes, as should suffice so great a multitude! 34 And Iesus said vnto them, How many loaues haue ye? And they said, Seuen, and a few litle fishes. 35 Then he commanded the multitude to sit downe on the ground, 36 And tooke the seuen loaues, and the fishes, and gaue thankes, and brake them, and gaue to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eate, and were sufficed: and they tooke vp of the fragments that remained, seuen baskets full. 38 And they that had eaten, were foure thousand men, beside women, and litle children. 39 Then Iesus sent away the multitude, and tooke ship, and came into the partes of Magdala.

Matthew 15