The Awesome Power of the Tongue

It seems many of us have kind of a love-hate relationship with people who talk a lot. We are not especially attracted to people whose mouths are locked in at cruising speed and who dominate practically every conversation. We make jokes about people who are long-winded; particularly those who do most of their talking from the pulpit. Yet, at the same time, we have a strange attraction for people who have what is called the quick mouth, the fast tongue; those who know how to turn a phrase; who know how to coin words; those who know the rhetoric and slang of the moment. But we ought to be very careful how we so quickly label people as being sharp or courageous because of how they talk, or how long they talk, or how loud they talk. Because the fact of the matter is some of the most insightful, most penetrating and courageous people you will ever meet are comparatively quiet people. They do not have a great deal to say; but when they speak, you ought to listen. Be careful not to label someone as being brilliant just because they know how to turn a word or coin a phrase.

The Scripture speaks effectively about the right use and the wrong use of the tongue. It is amazing how many times the Bible addresses that subject. For instance in Proverbs 17 verses 27 and 28 we have a very interesting description of the appropriate and inappropriate use of the tongue. Solomon is led to write, “He who restrains his words has knowledge and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise.” That’s interesting, if you keep your mouth shut, if you’re bright or not, no one will know if you are bright or not! “When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.” I guess next to Scripture passages like this one; the old anonymous adage says it about as well as it can be said: “There are times when silence is golden. And there are times when it is just plain yellow.” There are other moments when to speak is unwise and serves only to confuse. And there are moments to speak because the situation calls for it and requires the courage of our convictions. For us there is the need to know the difference; to know the moment; to read the situation. God’s people, in some instances, need to speak and other instances we make a far better witness and greater impact if we hold our peace.

There are some simple guidelines for us to consider about when to speak and when not. These guidelines determine when the silent tongue is appropriate and when it’s not. First, it is best that we keep our silence, when there is a rumor not to be perpetuated. In the 3rd chapter of James, the 5th verse, there is a graphic description what a great matter a little fire kindles. Destructive wild fires can be caused by a tiny spark. That’s descriptive of the spark of gossip. What anguish and damage can be done because of a tiny spark of rumor which hits the right place at the wrong time. It is reasonable to ask, have we ever made this matter of gossip a matter of prayer, really. I wonder if it might not be a good thing if we would simply learn how to pray something like this: “Father, make me one of those people who is responsible for breaking the rumor chain.” The term often accorded to people who put an end to something is “a buster”. Can you hear yourself praying, “Lord make me a gossip buster”? Or, Lord make me a genuine saboteur of the rumor mill; make me one who is responsible for bringing the whole enterprise to a grinding halt.” What a prayer, “Lord make me a genuine saboteur of the rumor mill!”

There is another time and place wherein God’s people would do well to be silent. That’s when there is an enemy not to be encouraged. In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he addressed the issue of responding to their personal enemies. He admonished them, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:17 – 18) Now recognize to whom he’s speaking; he’s speaking to Christians. Non-Christians would not find this to be instructive. In fact, non-Christians, or those who live in shallow spiritual waters, would find the instruction to be just a bit ridiculous. In fact they probably would be inclined to be cynical about it; so take stock of your own reaction. “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’, says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him and if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Romans 12: 19 – 21) In other words, do the unexpected. To state it simply, if you do what everyone else does you encourage the enemy. In still other words, your enemy can feel justified in whatever he is doing to you. However, if you return to him that which is the unexpected he is stymied and the search light of guilt is put upon him. A time to be silent is when there is an enemy not to be encouraged.

Thirdly, a time to hold your peace is when there is a truth not to be squandered. I am intrigued with the number of times in Scripture when the Lord instructed his disciples not to tell anyone what they had witnessed. It might have been a miracle, an astounding event to which they were exposed and he told them to keep it to themselves. For instance, coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration He told His disciples to resist the excitement of recounting what they saw there. Why? Does that seem reasonable? Well, it’s obvious He was teaching those disciples to avoid relating things to people who are incapable of appreciating what they are told. In effect He told them not to squander something which is rich and dear to them on someone who cannot appreciate it. He put it very bluntly in the 7th chapter of Matthew, verse 6: “Do not give what is Holy to dogs and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.” What is he saying? Don’t put pearls out for swine to eat; they don’t know how to appreciate it. If you put pearls before them, they’ll devour them and turn about and wipe their snouts on your pant legs! That’s a loose translation, I know, but it’s what He means.

Don’t squander truth. There are some people who cannot possibly appreciate it. Television evangelist, Oral Roberts once said he was going to return to earth and would rule and reign here. Some of the media picked up on that and dealt with the man as if he was mentally irresponsible. If you know your Bible, you know the Scripture says that when the Lord returns to this Earth to lay claim to it, those who have died in the Lord will return with Him and will share in that glorious claim of this Earth in the reign of Christ. That was the event to which Mr. Roberts was making reference. But those who do not know and understand Scripture would deem the statement irresponsible and worthy of ridicule.

Comedian Jackie Gleason died at age 71. He was a successful entertainer for years. Of his own admission he led a rampant life style. He drank heavily. He was a chain smoker. He once was asked if he thought when he died he was going to Heaven. Reportedly, Gleason said, “Not if they are real strict about the rules.”…. “I just hope God has a sense of humor.” Well now, that’s funny, I suppose, in the comedian’s context, but people who take the Bible seriously find difficulty with the idea that God deals with eternal destinies on the basis of His sense of humor. But that’s an example of being unable to comprehend profound scriptural truth without trivializing it. Jesus said it is better to hold your peace than to squander truth with those who do not know to respect it.