The Power of the Tongue

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

Proverbs 18:21b

In the last several years I have noticed a pattern of behavior involving sinning and my tongue.  As I rattle off my sins in confession to the Lord, I'm amazed at the number having to do with speech:

• criticism
• gossip
• harsh words
• sarcasm
• complaining
• swearing

These sins have particularly come to light in my marriage and I have fought to overcome them, but I continue to struggle.  Now I look at my beautiful daughter and wonder what pain my tongue will cause her- and will she continue the cycle?

Saint Faustina wrote in Divine Mercy in My Soul, 

There is life, but there is also death in the tongue.  Sometimes we kill with the tongue: we commit real murders.  

Kill?  Real murders?  Life and death?  This is a big deal!  This Lent, I am diving into God's Word to find out what HE says about the power of the tongue.  I will write about a related topic each Friday during Lent.  In addition I am fasting from sugar (including my evening chai tea which I look forward to all day!) in hopes that my words will become sweeter.  For Proverbs 16:24 says "Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body."


Saint James wrote extensively on the subject in the third chapter of his letter,

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, for we all fall short in many respects.  If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.  If we put bits into the mouths of  horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.  It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes.  In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions.  

Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.  The tongue is also a fire.  It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  This need not be so, my brothers.  (James 3:1-10)

The first paragraph of James' letter reminds me of what the Desert Fathers taught.  If a person came to them struggling with some sin, their first recommendation was to FAST.  Because he who controls his stomach, controls the rest of his passions.  Here Saint James claims that if our tongues are under control, the rest of our behavior will be as well.

Words are important.  Jesus Christ is THE WORD made flesh.  The Lord created the world using His Word.  Words have the power to wound or heal, kill or give life.

During Lent we will examine

• Criticism
• Gossip
• Complaining and negativity
• Junk: idle talk and swearing
• Encouragement
• Praise
• Silence

Will you join me?  

1. Spend some time in prayer reading James 3:1-10 and Proverbs 18:21.  Ask the Lord to reveal to you what is your sin pattern.  Where does your speech fall short?
2. Memorize with me "Set a guard, Lord, before my mouth, a gatekeeper at my lips."  Psalm141:3 

I hope and pray that my journey to conquer my tongue will be a blessing to you!