HELEN SANDERS
3-26-2026
THE TONGUE

In the Book of James, we learn a lot about our tongue. James 3:8 says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” The Amplified Version says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”

Jesus was speaking in Matthew 12:37 and said, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

I could say that my mouth is my best asset, but my worst asset is also my mouth. I can either bring life with my words, or bring death. Often, words can hurt so deeply that a person never recovers from them. Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of the lips.”

The word watch from psalm 141:3 means to put a hedge, or a guard of thorns around. If every time we start to say something negative or unfruitful, if that thorn touched our tongue, perhaps we would be more careful with our words.

Many wars, family feuds, divorce, murders and more come from words spoken without thinking. Perhaps we should take Psalm 141:3 to heart. Remember, whatever words we speak becomes seeds. We either grow fruit with our words or grow thorns and thistles.

If you have a problem with your “tongue” ask the Lord to help you, and when you feel that nudge not to speak, listen to that nudge and stay silent. Speak life and not death.

If you have planted thorns and thistles, now is a good time to ask for forgiveness and pull them out before they spread. Be a peacemaker.