The Tongue!

Proverbs 10:19 says:  "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."
The Book of Proverbs has quite a bit to say about the tongue.  It contains some sober warnings against lying and gossiping.  Proverbs 11:13 says:  "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."  There are warnings, also, against using the tongue to criticize, to slander, or to hurt.  For example, in chapter 12:18, we read: "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.  And, in Chapter 18:8, we read: "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

As we see in the text, too much talking is also dangerous, for it often results in sin.  The virtues of silence are shown us in 17:27-28.  "He that hath knowledge spareth his words. . . Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
The above scriptures are pretty strong warnings concerning the use of our tongues!  However, I am thankful that there are many sweet blessings promised to those who speak carefully and graciously!  Let's look at a few of them:

     "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."  Proverbs 25:11

     "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."  Proverbs 16:21
     "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life."  Proverbs 15:4

     "The tongue of the just is as choice silver."  Proverbs 10:20

     "A soft answer turneth away wrath."  Proverbs 15:1

     "A word spoken in due season, how good is it!"

May we prayerfully follow the admonition in Colossians 4:6 --
             "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."