The Tongue of a Child of God

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Does your tongue represent yourself and the Lord well or is it unbecoming of the Lord?

Today’s devotional reading: Proverbs 10:19-21

The tongue is a powerful weapon. Many may not recognize just how important their speech is. When James spoke about the untamed tongue, he likened it to a match that sets fire the course of nature (Jas. 3:6). Paul instructed that along with anger, wrath, and blasphemy, one should also put filthy language out of their mouth (Col. 3:8).

We should note that filthy language is any kind of language that is unbecoming of the child of God. Language that would push others away from Christ is filthy. While we will immediately think of swearing as filthy language, let’s also consider the lies we tell as filthy language. Let’s also consider mocking others as filthy language. Hate speech, tearing down others is filthy language.

The tongue of God’s children ought to be a “well of life”, that comforts and draws others to the Lord (Prov. 10:11). If your speech isn’t of grace and love, this is something you must work to correct. Let your tongue help to bear good fruit, rather than corrupt and unhealthy fruit. Let us not forget that we are representatives of not just ourselves but the Lord as well.