IN HER TONGUE

Beth Johnson

 

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness" (Pro 31:26).

 

The "besetting sin" most frequently attributed women is in the misuse of the tongue.   Whether they are more guilty of this sin than men is not really the point.   Rather than casting blame at anyone in particular, we all ought to take a close look at our own actions.

 

Notice the three comparisons which show the great power of the tongue in James 3:1-12.

 

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 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. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 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.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."  

 

Look carefully at the seven things the Lord hates and notice how many of those are sins of the tongue.  "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations , feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren (Pro 6:16-19).

 Notice the full implication of an evil tongue, and remember our hearts are being revealed.   "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.   A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things (Mat 12:34-35).

One of the qualifications of a deacon's wife relates to her use of the tongue.  As a leader of the Lord's people, it is important that she not be given to this kind of sin.  "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things?" (1 Tim 3:11).