Profanity or Praise: Insights from Scripture on Taming the Tongue

Profanity or Praise: Insights from Scripture on Taming the Tongue

By Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist

It is the case that we sometimes say things to others as well as ourselves that we really don’t intend to say. For example, psychologists have informed us that a “Freudian slip” is sometimes evident when a phrase, which we didn’t mean to say, comes out of our mouths. If I was awarded a nickel every time I heard someone “accidentally swear,” I would have been wealthy a long time ago. I believe that King Solomon was correct when he asserted that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).

James describes the power of the tongue in the third chapter of his book. In James 3:9-10, he writes: “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” The tongue is indeed very powerful; and if we are to continue to use it glorify God and carry out to work of the ministry, we must find a way to tame or manage it.

Scriptures provide us with a way to understand why we sometimes say things that we don’t want to say and how to avoid saying things that we don’t want to say. In Matthew 15:19, Jesus says: “For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.” 

Understanding the heart is the key to understanding what we say. The heart, which is more than an organ that pumps blood throughout the body, refers to our capacity and willingness to follow God. The heart is important to our spiritual health because Jesus says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Matthew 22:37). Solomon says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). 

If our mouths speak based on that which is in our hearts, then we must make sure that our hearts are in the right place or focused on God. It is no wonder that in King David’s prayer, which should be our prayer, he asked God to “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). 

Those around us may not understand why we go to great lengths to align our hearts with God’s will. Our motivation can be found in the words of King Samuel: “For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). 

Addressing challenges within our hearts will undoubtedly assist us in taming our tongues. Lastly, it is important to note that if we trust in the Lord with all your heart, “God will give us the desires of our heart” (Proverbs 3:6.).