The Tongue Is Full Of Deadly Poison

James 3:8
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

With little effort, the words we allow to pass our lips can destroy families and friendships. While these wounds can be healed with time, scares will always remain. This is why we should choose our words carefully. This is why we should “Be Swift To Hear, Slow To Speak, Slow To Wrath.”

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ helped us understand where this “unruly evil” and “deadly poison” comes from.

Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

The words we allow to pass our lips come from our heart.

The words we use toward others are a reflection of who we are.

Jesus speaking.

Mark 7:21-23
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Do any of those descriptions sound like the traits of a Christian?

Of course not.

None of those words or thoughts display righteous acts and glorify God, (Matthew 5:16).

When we allow our mouths to spew out hatred, we blemish ourselves. We destroy any resemblance of Christ in our hearts. We set a bad example for our family, and for others who know we are “Christian”. If we are Christian, that means we live our life according to the Word.

It does not mean we are perfect, but it does mean Christ is the focus of our life.

Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Whatever our focus is in life, that is where our treasure is. If our cares become focused on what the world has to offer, then our hearts will be led in that direction and away from Christ, (Mark 4:19). This leads to a separation from us and God, sometimes without us even realizing it has occurred.

That is when our heart changes and we turn into a person we never were before.

Here is yet another reason why vile words are not to be used by Christians.

James 3:9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

  • James explains, how can we bless God with our lips, and then curse men who are created in God’s image?
  • How can we go to church on Sunday and be holy, and then become a different person as soon as we leave the pew?

James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

We cannot bless God and curse men all while having Christ in our heart, just as bitter and sweet water does not come from the same well, (James 3:11). We should always calmly talk through our problems with others, instead of bottling up our emotions which can gush forward causing undo pain and harm.

I hope you take the time to reflect on these words.

I hope you take the time to look in the mirror and ask yourself,

Do I treat and interact with people as a Godly person, or as one whose heart contains “unruly evil” and “deadly poison”?

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