The Power of the Tongue




Definition of Power: The ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality, and/or the ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events

Knowing what the definition of “POWER” means, further lets us know that when it is translated in the event that we have power through the words we speak, than understand that the tongue is a powerful tool. It has the ability to either speak LIFE or DEATH.

Definition of Life: The existence of an individual human being or animal
Definition of Death: The action or fact of dying or being killed; the end of the life of a person or organism

Let’s take for example, a child. When a child is in the learning stages or better yet the sponge like stages where they pick up the most in their lives which is between 3-5 years old, we must understand that whatever we are saying in front of them, around, them or to them can stick with them for life. We must understand that negative words impact anyone and especially a child and DOES affect their future. Some kids are able to grow into adulthood and overcome the curses of words spoken over them by having a changed mindset that makes a difference in their lives. It is rare but it does happen but this is a mindset that is not fully dealt with until you fully surrender your life to the Lord. In the instance, that a word of negativity is spoken to a person it can either make or break a person and how they may see things. Verbal abuse is a prime example of speaking death to someone. This act of abuse is not a big topic of discussion because it does not show physical damage. But internally it shows damage to a person’s mindset and how they may view themselves or those around them.

Definition of Verbal Abuse: Is a type of psychological/mental abuse that involves the use of oral language, gestured language, and written language directed to a victim

Without the tongue, there would be no means to communicate hate, negative words, curses, judgment, or anything negative in the atmosphere that could affect an individual. It is like a domino effect when you hear that saying, “hurt people, hurt people”. If we continue this cycle of using the power of the tongue in a negative manner, we will continue the domino effect of what it truly means to continue to hurt people when we are hurting ourselves. And this is not to say that we will be perfect when expressing ourselves, but we must understand that in order for us to prevent the hurt, we need to learn how to forgive, and heal from past trauma.

As stated in KJV James 3:6, And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among other members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. This scripture is defining how powerful the tongue is when words are spoken in the atmosphere, it has the ability to defile the body, and set the course of our lives and be sent to hell. The tongue is an unruly evil, it cannot be tamed. You can either speak blessings or curses with the tongue. That is why it is important to be slow to speak, and slow to anger. Most times when we are angry, we are not in our right state of mind. It is okay to be angry, but sin not. We must not allow the enemy to control our thoughts when angry, because of how powerful words can be spoken, out of context when upset or mad. When we engage in the 9 fruits of the spirit which this will be discussed a lot, then we will know how to have self-control over our tongue to avoid speaking death, or destruction when in an angry state of mind.

The tongue was for the purpose of praise and worship toward the Lord, and for edifying the body of Christ. With the involvement of sin, is where the tongue becomes an unruly evil. We have all been in a place where we have lost our cool, and said some things that we have regretted, and may have even thought that our words can’t cause damage, but that is far from the truth. If we are walking in LOVE, we will be less receptive to speaking hatred with our tongue, and more of speaking life into those around us. We are to become one with Christ in order for us to know how to walk in self-control and love. The more we engage in a close relationship with the Lord and ask for the Lord to make us more like him, and less of ourselves, we will become a better version of what it means to control the tongue from evil words being spoken into the atmosphere. No matter the place you are at in your life, no matter the pain you have endured, no matter how much, you want to hurt the person that has wronged you, you must know that there is more to life than wanting to see others feel pain. If we show more of love, as opposed to hate, we will see a difference in the people that we are separated from and begin to see those that are like minded with LOVE to give, because when you abide in HIM, he ABIDES IN YOU!!!

Scriptural Knowledge KVJ:
The TONGUE:

James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
James 3:8-9 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Proverbs 12:18- There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
Proverbs 15:4- A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
1 Peter 3:10- For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Luke 6:45- A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Edifying Scriptural Knowledge:
Ephesians 4:29- Let no corrupt communication proceed our of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
1 Corinthians 14:12- Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, see that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Ephesians 4:12 – For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Fruits of the Spirit Scriptural Knowledge:
Matthew 7:16 – Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Galatians 5:25 – If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Philippians 1:11 – Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:25 – If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Wisdom Scriptural Knowledge:
Psalms 15:18 – A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 16:32 – he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.


Anger Scriptural Knowledge:
James 1:19 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Psalm 38:8 – Cease from anger, and for sake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.







Vera Lane Ministries
Romans 13: 10 NKJV
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.