One day a father told his children that he had something to show them. He said, “I have a question.” His children responded by answering “We can answer.” “What
is the most powerful thing in every house?” The children said, “A gun or car or
electricity.” He said, “No, it is none of those.”
“What is the most uncontrollable thing in every house?” The children said, “The weather or insects (pests).” The father said, “No it is not those?” He proceeded to ask, “What is the smallest thing in every house?” They said, “We do not know.” So the father proceeded to take out a cow’s tongue.
The Tongue is the most powerful, most uncontrolled, and the smallest thing of all the things in every house. The tongue is the instrument that has the most potential to Sin. The easiest thing our tongues can do is Sin. Without any effort at all it is very easy to Sin with our mouth.
James 3:2-12 tells us about our tongues. James says if you want to be perfect in your life start with your speech. Controlling what you say and don’t stubble in how you speak will enable you to control your whole body. God says controlling the tongue is the way to control everything you do.
I have discovered for myself that the easiest way to Sin is with my mouth. My tongue and my mouth are the easiest way to Sin. What I say to my wife and children is a reflection of my heart. If I don’t watch my mouth, I will be sinning against God and my love ones.
A slip of the tongue reveals the will of the heart. What we say is what we really feel and desire. Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45 says, “…. From out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” The easiest thing any person can do is talk. There is a old saying that says, “Talk is cheap.” Many times our mouth is engaged before our brain start working.
Be careful, because your words will be judged someday. Matthew 12:37 says, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” Ecclesiates 3:2-11 says that there is a time for everything. Verse 7b says there is, “A time to be silent and a time to speak.”
Timing and Motive and Way are primary reasons why we should be careful how we speak. In the use of the tongue we need to be on guard how we talk. It is very important not to be destructive. The use of our tongue is revealed in these three things.
- Timing – (when to speak)
- Motive – (reason for speaking)
- Way – (how we speak)
Cursing and profane language is also included in the use of your tongue. Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” If what we are about to say will not edify or minister to the hearer then we probably don’t need to say it.
Have you considered that the use of your tongue is the easiest way to Sin? When you curse you’re sinning. When you slander someone you’re sinning. When you brag or boast you’re sinning. When you lie you’re sinning.
When that which comes out of your mouth does not reflect God’s character more then likely you’ll be sinning. That is why the bible said, let your words be few. Ecclesiates 5:2, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
James is telling us that true faith will control the tongue. The easiest way to sin is with the mouth and the tongue. Jesus warned us and said, that every idle word that people say, will have to give account in the day of judgement. He said by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned, (Matthews 12:36,37).
Some of our actions when it comes to our speech is like the boss and his friend’s discussion about his secretary.
Joe: “Why did you fire your secretary?”
Moe: “She couldn’t spell. She kept asking me how to spell every other word as she was taking dictation.
Joe: “I suppose you couldn’t stand the interruptions. Moe: “It wasn’t that. I just didn’t have time to look up all those words.”
So be very careful in the use of your mouth and words. Watch what you say and be mindful of what you speak because it reveals your heart. What can be your easiest Sin your tongue.