From the Elder's Pen "Watch Your Tongue" 2/16/03 Past/Future Articles

? The tongue is guilty:  When it curses (James 3:10).
? The tongue is guilty:  When it flatters (Psalms 12:3).
? The tongue is guilty:  When it speaks evil (Eph. 4:1).
? The tongue is guilty:  When it lies (Rev. 21:8)
? The tongue is guilty: When it boasts (Rom. 1:30).

By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, James, the half- brother of Jesus, writes: “Speak not evil one of another, brethren.  He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh of the law, and judgeth the law:…(James 4:11).”

Apparently, the problem of “slander” was just as alive in the first century as it is today.  What causes one to say evil or ugly things about another?  The lack of Bible knowledge, lack of love, and lack of self-control of our tongue.

Here are seven “Godly use of our tongue.”

1. Confession made with mouth. (Rom.10:9-10)
2. Faith in Christ...speak.  (II Cor. 4:13)
3. Speak good things.  (Matt. 12:34)
4. Give an answer...hope…  (I Peter 3:15)
5. Speech be always with grace.  (Col. 4:6)
6. Tongue speak of thy word.  (Psalm 119:172)
7.  Every tongue confess Christ. (Phil. 2:11)

If we do not obey he Law, then do we not definitely jeopardize our salvation? “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10).  So the next time we are tempted to say something ugly about someone, maybe we need to think again.  “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his own tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).