I don’t like snakes.  One of the creepiest things about a snake is that nasty forked tongue.  Did you know that the tongue was especially designed by God to help the snake evaluate his environment?

A snake has a special gland in the roof of his mouth called a Jacobson’s Gland. When the snake wags his tongue, he gathers scents around him on it. Then he he sticks the two tips of his tongue onto the two corresponding holes in his Jake Gland. The gland sends the data to his brain, which processes the gathered knowledge.

Our tongues are not so beneficial, and in reality even more poisonous. Hence we have the expression, “he speaks with fork-ed tongue.”  The 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary, vol. 2 suggests an English vocabulary somewhere between 250,000 words and 750,000 words (click here for reference).

I am amazed at how we can use such a remarkable vocabulary to inflict so much damage.  We prove the truth of the Scripture:

…no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. – James 3:8

Deadly Poison from Our Tongues

I can think of at least five deadly poisons that come from our tongue.

Gossip (Romans 1:28-32)

Gossip occurs we we share information, whether or not true, without permission of it’s subject. Note the list of sins in surrounding gossip in the passage above. Gossip is no laughing matter in God’s eyes.

Negativity (Philippians 2:14)

Some people enjoy grumbling and complaining about others or their own circumstances. They always seeing the negative in circumstances and other people. They like to criticize others, thinking it makes them seem superior.

Read Avoiding the Spiritual Germ of Negativity 

Lying (Ephesians 4:25)

Anytime we misrepresent the truth or manipulate facts to achieve one’s own agenda, we are guilty of lying.  We also lie when share something that we have decided is true when we have not carefully validated it.

Foul language (Ephesians 4:29)

Many people also spread deadly poison through inappropriate words, expressions, innuendo, and suggestion. We can choose to use our words to build up or tear down. We do much more good when we encourage and inspire through our words.

I wrote about this in Reconsidering Our Use of Words – Stones or Blocks.

Arguing (Ephesians 4:31)

Anger is expressing displeasure, or frustration through combative words, tones, and gestures. The angry person uses words to stir up strife, discord, and dissension. One little spark from our tongue can light a painful fire in someone else’s heart.

Friends, let’s be careful what we say and how we say it. You may not play with snakes, but too many of us play with the deadly poison of words. When we carelessly choose words, we do great harm to ourselves and those who hear us. Words can be used to build up or tear down; to encourage or to incinerate. Choose your words wisely and make it your aim to encourage those who hear.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. – James 3:10

Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. – Colossians 4:6

Further Reading

Choosing Our Words to Heal
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