The tongue though it is small has the ability to speak life or death into our lives and the lives of others. Take some time to read and study these 21 mindful Bible verses about controlling the tongue and start using your words to speak wisdom, offer encouragement, and words full of grace.
What Does the Bible Say About Controlling the Tongue?
The Bible tells us that those who can control their tongue and use their words with wisdom and restraint can avoid causing harm and maintain a righteous and godly life.
Here are 21 Bible Verses about Controlling the Tongue
I pray these Bible verses below will help you to control your tongue and use it for good.
When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable,
Proverbs 10:19 NASB
But one who restrains his lips is wise.
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
Proverbs 12:18 NASB
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
One who guards his mouth protects his life;
Proverbs 13:3 NASB
One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
Proverbs 15:1 NASB
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
This verse teaches us the importance of using our words wisely, especially when we are facing conflict.
When someone is angry with us, it is natural to want to defend ourselves or strike back. However, this is often the worst thing we can do. A harsh word will only make the other person more angry, and the conflict will escalate.
Instead, Proverbs 15:1 encourages us to give a gentle answer. This means speaking calmly and respectfully, even if we disagree with the other person. It also means avoiding hurtful or inflammatory language.
When we give a gentle answer, we are more likely to calm the other person down and resolve the conflict peacefully. We are also showing them that we respect them, even if we disagree with them.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
Proverbs 15:2 NLT
but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
Proverbs 15:4 NASB
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
Proverbs 15:28 NLT
mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Proverbs 16:24 NASB
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
Proverbs 17:28 NASB
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
One who guards his mouth and his tongue,
Proverbs 21:23 NASB
Guards his soul from troubles.
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
Proverbs 26:20 NASB
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.
Some people love to gossip and quarrel like they’re eating choice food. But gossip and quarreling are sins that plague our world and, unfortunately, many churches. Both serve as wood for the fire of conflict. Some have started gossip fires that burned up another’s reputation entirely. When gossip is eliminated, conflict is snuffed out.
Tony Evans
A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
Proverbs 26:28 NASB
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
Proverbs 31:26 NLT
and she gives instructions with kindness.
I love this verse because it reminds me of a godly mother who desires to teach and train her children. She also speaks words of kindness to her children. Proverbs 31:26 is such an awesome verse to practice and memorize.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 NLT
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
James 1:26 NLT
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
James 3:2 NLT
But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:8 NASB IN
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
James 3:3-6 NLT
A mouth can set the whole course of life on fire. It can destroy self-esteem, devastate relationships, ruin careers, and kill ministries As sure as a tiny match can set a forest ablaze, the mouth causes harm that is out of proportion to its size. If you want to change the course of your life, you need to ask God to help steer that little rudder called your tongue.
Tony Evans
For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
1Peter 3:10 NLT
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Colossians 4:6 NASB
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
In conclusion, controlling the tongue is an important skill that we all need to learn. By thinking before we speak, practicing active listening, and avoiding negative speech, we can use our words to build up and encourage others.
