The Power of the Tongue

It is such a small thing. You wouldn't think it would have the power that it does. And yet, it is he instrument that is central to creating words. Words have amazing power. To create. To Destroy. In Genesis, God speaks the world into existence. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is the Word made flesh - the most powerful statement that could possibly be made. Words. The power of words.

You have felt the power. You know what it is to send them. You know what it is to receive it. You know the power and the impact. Once sent, they cannot be retrieved. Words.

The passages to the right describe well the power of the tongue with rather graphic imagery, particularly in verse 6, where it uses the fires of hell (the image here being of the fires in the valley of Hinnom where even children were sacrificed). Hard to miss the point, isn't it?

This morning Pastor Jon explores with us the power of the tongue, for both good and ill, and why we need to handle it carefully. If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here. Or, if you prefer the livestream version, you can access that by clicking here.

Some Additional passage of Scripture to Notice

Psalm 141:3

Proverbs 10:19-20; 18:21

Comparing the imagery of Genesis 1 and John 1

is also a fruitful place to look for the creative power of words and "The Word"

James 3:1-12

NIV

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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.5 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. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.