Mastering the Tongue

A Sunday School Lesson from the Young Adults class at Brookview Baptist on 9/12/2009

Has there ever been an instrument of mankind that has caused more damage than the tongue?  Today we’re going to look at a selection of verses from Proverbs and see what they say to us about mastering the unwieldy tendancy our tongue.

Today, I hope this cross section of verses will help you see how serious this issue is and the consistency with which the book of Proverbs addresses this topic.  God takes mastering our speach very seriously, therefore so should we!

Truth and Lies

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Proverbs 21:6
A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare

Proverbs 16:13
Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.

1. From Proverbs 6:16-19, what three detestable things in these verses are related to our tongues and/or how we speak?
2. Why do you believe lying is addressed so seriously here?
3. What does Proverbs 16:13 say will happen if you consistently speak the truth?
4. Do you struggle with telling the truth, and what can you do to improve in this area?

Holding Our Tongue

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 11:12
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his tongue.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from calamity.

Proverbs 4:24
Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

1. How should these verses impact how we speak and what we say to others?
2. Are you suprised at the number of times Proverbs references holding our tongue?
3. Is this an area of personal struggle for you? If so, why? What inner force makes you feel the desire to speak out rashly or thoughtlessly?

A Wise Tongue

Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

Proverbs 10:14
Wise men store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Proverbs 20:15
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

1. Have you ever thought about how wisdom is linked to how and when you speak?
2. How can you move toward having the kind of wisdom spoken of here?

A Calm Tongue

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

1. What kind of impact could this verse have in your family, church, and professional life if applied consistently?

Flattery and Boasting

Proverbs 28:23
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor
than he who has a flattering tongue.

Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.

1. What do you think Proverbs 28:23 means by rebuke? How do you apply this verse lovingly be and consistent with all of scripture?
2. How do the instructions in this verse contradict what our culture recommends?
3. Do you have a desire to praise yourself and point out your accomplishments to those around you? Why do you think Proverbs 27:2 recommends against this?

Self Study

Look at the following links to keyword lookups at Bible Gateway. There are three searches: one for the word ‘tongue’; one for the word ‘mouth’; and one for the word ‘speak’. Read through the verses in Proverbs that reference our daily speach. Are there others trends that you see that were not discussed today? What topics stand out to you?

• Tongue
• Mouth
• Speak

Post a comment below about what you observed from this brief overview in Proverbs.

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3. Finding Meaning
4. Paul’s Prayer