"Proverbs Topical Study: The Tongue" - Ben Bailey

Proverbs Topical Study: The Tongue

“Death & Life Are in the Power of the Tongue” (Prov. 18:21). “Watch your words & Hold Your Tongue; You’ll save yourself a lot of grief” (Prov. 21:23, The Message Paraphrase)

1. God hates a tongue that is used for deceptive purposes.

• Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:16-17)

2. Giving heed to the flattering tongue will lead to your demise.

• Proverbs 6:24 To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress.

3. Christians should use their tongue to speak the truth.

• Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

4. The righteous man should be careful of the number of words he speaks.

• Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

5. The righteous man’s tongue should be a valuable possession.

• Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.

6. Using the tongue to spread gossip is not what God wants.

• A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. (Proverbs 11:13)

7. A man who is perverse in his heart will have his voice silenced.

• Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.

8. A wise man’s tongue should be like medicine.

• Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

9. A man who has a lying tongue won’t last in what he does.

• Proverbs 12:19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

10. Part of having a wise tongue is knowing how to use your knowledge correctly.

• Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

11. A godly tongue is like a tree of life.

• Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

12. The only way to speak the right answer is by seeking God’s will.

• Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Prov. 16:1 “We may make our plans, but God has the last word.” (TEV).

13. Ungodly people are quick to listen to a venomous tongue.

• Proverbs 17:4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

14. A man who cannot control his tongue will be surrounded by evil.

• Proverbs 17:20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

15. The old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is just not true.

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

16. Making success with a lying tongue will not last.

• Proverbs 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

17. Man would do better if he wore a tongue guard.

• Proverbs 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

18. Gentle speech has great power.

• Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

19. A gossiping tongue is always going to breed anger in others.

• Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

20. The tongue is the weapon of choice many people use to destroy their adversaries.

• Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

21. Flattery doesn’t make friends; being plain-spoken and truthful will.

• Proverbs 28:23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.

22. Kindness should be on the godly person's tongue.

• Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.