The tongue is one of the most powerful parts of the human body, yet it is often taken for granted. It can be used to build up or tear down, to bring life or destruction. In this post, 39 Bible Verses highlight the evil and destructive tongue. These verses draw attention to the power of the tongue, the consequences of using it unwisely, and how to use it in a manner that will bring life and peace.
The verses detail how the tongue can be used to spread lies, deceit, and destruction. Job 15:5 states that “your mouth utters your iniquity, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.” Job 20:12 says, “though evil is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue.” Psalm 10:7 warns that “his mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression.”
The Bible also speaks to the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 states that “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 12:18-19 says that “the tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.” And James 3:5-6 explains that “the tongue is a fire, a world of evil. The tongue is among the parts of the body, defiling the whole body and setting the course of nature on fire.”
But the Bible doesn’t just talk about the tongue's power; it also provides advice on how to use it properly. Proverbs 15:2 says, “the tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright.” Proverbs 10:20 and Proverbs 26:28 both encourage truthfulness and warn against lying. And James 1:26 and 1 Peter 3:10 both advise refraining from evil and deceit.
These Bible verses provide an important reminder that the words we speak can be powerful and destructive, but they also provide guidance on how to use our words wisely. They are a reminder that:
We should think before we speak and use our words to build up rather than tear down.
Here is a supplemental worksheet:
39 Bible Verses about the Power of the Tongue
Job 15:5 - For your mouth utters your iniquity, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
Job 20:12 - Though evil is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue,
Job 20:16 - He will suck the poison of cobras; the viper’s tongue will slay him.
Psalm 5:9 - For there is no uprightness in their mouth; destruction is in their midst; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue.
Psalm 10:7 - His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
Psalm 12:3-4 - The Lord will cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, “With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are in our control, who is master over us?”
Psalm 50:19 - You let loose your mouth to evil, and your tongue is bound to deceit.
Psalm 52:2 - Your tongue devises calamities, like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.
Psalm 52:4 - You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue.
Psalm 57:4 - My soul is among lions, and I lie among the sons of men who blaze like fire, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Psalm 64:3 - they sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words,
Psalm 64:8 - They will bring ruin on themselves by their own tongues; all who see them will flee away.
Psalm 73:9 - They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
Psalm 78:36 - Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, and they lied to Him with their tongues;
Psalm 109:2 - For the mouth of the wicked and deceitful are opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
Psalm 120:2-3 - Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
Psalm 140:3 - They have tongues as sharp as a serpent; adders’ poison is with their lips. Selah
Proverbs 6:17 - a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 6:24 - to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a seductress.
Proverbs 10:20 - The tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.
Proverbs 10:31 - The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.
Proverbs 12:18-19 - There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health. The truthful lip will be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Proverbs 15:2 - The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
Proverbs 15:4 - A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 17:4 - A wicked doer gives heed to false lips, and a liar gives ear to a wayward tongue.
Proverbs 17:20 - He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 21:6 - The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed back and forth by those who seek death.
Proverbs 25:23 - The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Proverbs 26:28 - A lying tongue hates those who are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 28:23 - He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue.
Isaiah 3:8 - For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen, because their tongue and their deeds are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of His glory.
Jeremiah 9:5 - Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves in committing iniquity.
Jeremiah 9:8 - Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit. One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait.
James 1:26 - If anyone among you seems to be religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
James 3:1 - My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.
James 3:5-6 - Even so, the tongue is a little part of the body and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles. The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. The tongue is among the parts of the body, defiling the whole body, and setting the course of nature on fire, and it is set on fire by hell.
James 3:8 - But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
1 Peter 3:10 - For He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
As we reflect on the power and impact of the tongue, which Bible verse resonates with you the most, and how do you strive to use your words to bring life, build up, and promote peace in your daily interactions?
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