The Evils Of The Tongue

THE EVILS OF THE TONGUE

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YAHSHUA (JESUS) SAID:

[…] I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Based on Matthew 12:36)

THE LAW SAYS

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7).

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. (Exodus 20:16).

— THE DANGER ZONE —

LIES

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbour. (Proverbs 25:18).

Who is the liar?

Yahshua said […] You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (Based on John 8:44).

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. (Proverbs 13:5).

GOSSIP

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts. (Proverbs 18:8).

He who covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9).

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. (Proverbs 20:19).

QUARRELS

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17).

It is to a man’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. (Proverbs 20:3).

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. (Proverbs 26:20).

Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. (Proverbs 26:17).

SLANDER

” `Do not go about spreading slander among your people.

” `Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:16).

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. (Proverbs 10:18).

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbour? (James 4:11 & 12).

BACKBITING

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1).

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

FLATTERY

Whoever flatters his neighbour is spreading a net for his feet. (Proverbs 29:5).

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6).

DECEIT

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4).

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. (Proverbs 12:20).

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:25 – 27).

FALSE TEACHING

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Messiah, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. (Romans 16:17 & 18).

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:6 & 7).

THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR FALSEHOOD

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say–as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say–“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved. (Romans 3:5-8).

GENERAL PROVERBS CONCERNING SPEECH

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19).

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. (Proverbs 18:2).

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. (Ecclesiastes 9:17 & 18).

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PATIENCE

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19 & 20).

Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. (Proverbs 12:19).

TAMING THE TONGUE

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3: 2 – 12).

ENCOURAGEMENTS

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips  from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do

good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Messiah as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Messiah may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:8-17).

CONSIDER (A PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME?)…

“There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind. (Proverbs 30:11 – 14).

CONCLUSIONS

(Yahshua said) “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43 – 45).

(Yahshua also said) For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.’ ” (Mark 7:21 – 23).

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Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18).

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. (Proverbs 10:32).

  • THOUGHT: “The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful” – (Proverbs 22:12). •

ESSENTIAL STUDY MATERIAL:

  • Genesis chapters 2 & 3, (all), (note 3:4 The 1st Lie).
  • Exodus 20:1 – 17, (The Law).
  • Leviticus 19:11 – 18, (Various Laws).
  • Numbers chapter 16, (all), (Dissention).
  • Psalms 12 & 15, (all), (Deception & Judgement).
  • Psalm 49 & 52, (all), (Pride & False Confidence).
  • Proverbs chapter 2, (all), (Wisdom).
  • Proverbs 6:12 – 19, (The Evil Tounged Person).
  • Proverbs 30:5 & 6, (The True Word of God).
  • Ecclesiastes 7:5 & 6, (Instruction).
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 & 9, (Instruction).
  • Ecclesiastes 10:12 – 14, (Wisdom).
  • Isaiah 8:11 – 9:7, (Prophecy concerning Yahshua).
  • Matthew chapters 5 – 7, (all), (Yahshua’s Sermon on The Mount).
  • Matthew 12:30 – 37, (Use of the Tongue).
  • Matthew chapters 26 – 28 (all), (The Crucifixion, consider again Leviticus chapter 19:15 & 16).
  • 2 Corinthians 4:2, (The Plain Truth).
  • 2 Timothy 2:14 – 4:8, (Guidance & Warnings).
  • James 3:13 – 18, (True Wisdom).
  • 2 Peter chapter 2, (all), (False Teaching).
  • Jude, (all), (False Teaching).
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:1 – 12, (The Man of Lawlessness).
  • 1 Peter 4, (all), (Encouragements).
  • Revelation chapters 21 & 22, (all), note 22:15, (Heaven & Hell).

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death – (Proverbs ch 13, vs 14).