It is amazing that the little muscle living inside of our mouths is the topic of so much discussion within the Bible. There is good reason for that. If you are reading this, your tongue surely has gotten you into trouble in the past, or you may even be in trouble at this very moment! One book of the Bible that has a lot to say about it is Proverbs, and why not, as it is so practical.
It is no secret that much damage can be done through the tongue, through lying and deceiving (Proverbs 6:17, 19; 12:19; 17:4; 21:6; 26:28), backbiting and gossiping (11:13; 17:9), prideful boasting (8:13; 28:25), etc., but the child of God should not desire such. We need to be motivated to exercise our tongues according to wisdom, and this book of Wisdom Literature is an excellent divine guide to properly using our tongues. Let’s focus on the positive, and may we be challenged to strive to have a Proverbs tongue. Notice chapter 15.
The Beholder of the Tongue
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good” (15:3). God as Creator is He who observes how we use our tongues. Solomon elsewhere wrote, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths” (5:21). When realizing that God beholds how we use our tongues at all times, we should be motivated to have a Proverbs tongue.
The Tongue Can Be Tender
“A soft answer turns away wrath…” (15:1). A tender tongue does not invite wrath. Wrath fuels wrath, but a tender tongue discourages it. The tender tongue possesses great power, as it “breaks a bone” (25:15). John Wesley wrote that it “Softens the hardest heart” (Wesley’s Notes. https://bible.cc/proverbs/25-15.htm).
The Tongue Can
Properly Use Knowledge
“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly… The lips of the wise disperse knowledge…” (15:2, 7). Adam Clarke wrote: “This is very difficult to know: when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given” (Commentary on the Bible. Online Bible Version 4.1.1, 2009 Cross Country Software).
Knowledge is from the Lord (1:7; 2:1-9); therefore, to use knowledge properly, I must seek it from His Word. When realizing that the tongue can properly use knowledge, we should be motivated to have a Proverbs tongue.
The Tongue Can Be Healing
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life…” (15:4). The same word here translated “wholesome” is translated “health” in 12:18: “…the tongue of the wise promotes health…” Elsewhere in Proverbs wisdom is called “a tree of life” (3:18) as is “the fruit of the righteous” (11:30). When realizing that the tongue can be healing, we should be motivated to have a Proverbs tongue.
The Tongue Can Be Helpful
“…[H]e who receives correction is prudent” (15:4). Receiving correction is portrayed in a positive light. The tongue can help others by providing loving reproof. We need to be careful that our motives are pure in giving correction and reproof, and we need to accept such when given to us. Realizing that the tongue helps others through correction, we should be motivated to have a Proverbs tongue.
Are you motivated to have a Proverbs tongue?
