The words we speak hold immense power, capable of building others up or tearing them down. The Bible offers valuable insights and wisdom regarding the importance of controlling our tongues. Numerous verses remind us to be mindful of our speech and to choose words that reflect kindness, truth, and love.
By exploring these scriptures, we learn about the impact of our words and the significance of speaking thoughtfully. From warnings about gossip and harsh words to encouragement to use our speech for encouragement and blessings, these verses guide us toward cultivating a heart that honors God through our communication.
As you reflect on these Bible verses about controlling your tongue, consider how they can inspire you to speak with intention and grace. May they serve as a reminder of the responsibility we have to use our words wisely, promoting peace and understanding in our relationships and communities.
Bible Verses About Controlling Your Tongue
Proverbs 18:21 – The Power of Words in Proverbs
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
More Related Verses:
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” – Proverbs 12:25
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.” – Proverbs 10:21
Also Read: Bible Verses About Disappointment (with Related Verses)
James 3:8 – James’ Teachings on Taming the Tongue
“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8
More Related Verses:
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” – James 3:9
“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” – James 3:5
“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” – Ephesians 4:25
Matthew 12:34 – Jesus’ Teachings About What Comes from the Heart
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Matthew 12:34
More Related Verses:
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” – Matthew 12:35
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” – Matthew 12:36
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” – Ephesians 4:29
Psalms 141:3 – The Role of the Tongue in Worship and Praise
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” – Psalms 141:3
More Related Verses:
“Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day.” – Psalms 71:8
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalms 34:1
“My tongue will speak of Your righteousness and of Your praises all day long.” – Psalms 35:28
Proverbs 20:19 – The Danger of Gossip and Slander
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” – Proverbs 20:19
More Related Verses:
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” – Proverbs 18:8
“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
“Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Proverbs 10:31 – Benefits of Speaking with Wisdom
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.” – Proverbs 10:31
More Related Verses:
“The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.” – Proverbs 15:7
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” – Proverbs 16:23
“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” – Proverbs 1:5
Proverbs 15:1 – The Connection Between the Heart and the Tongue
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
More Related Verses:
“The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.” – Proverbs 15:2
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” – Proverbs 21:23
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” – Proverbs 17:27
Proverbs 10:19 – The Importance of Listening Before Speaking
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” – Proverbs 10:19
More Related Verses:
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” – Proverbs 17:27
“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips.” – Proverbs 16:23
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” – Proverbs 10:19
Psalms 37:30 – Encouragement from Psalms to Speak Kindly
“The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.” – Psalms 37:30
More Related Verses:
“Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.” – Psalms 52:2
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalms 19:14
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” – Proverbs 12:22
Proverbs 25:15 – How to Respond to Provocation with Grace
“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” – Proverbs 25:15
More Related Verses:
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” – Proverbs 25:21
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Proverbs 12:18 – The Impact of Words on Relationships
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
More Related Verses:
“A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised.” – Proverbs 12:8
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Proverbs 16:24 – Words as Tools for Healing
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
More Related Verses:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalms 147:3
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
“I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 30:17
Proverbs 13:3 – Biblical Examples of Tongue Control
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3
More Related Verses:
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” – Proverbs 10:19
“You will be satisfied with good by the fruit of your mouth, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.” – Proverbs 12:14
“But the one who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and the one who rules his spirit than he who captures a city.” – Proverbs 16:32
Romans 12:12 – The Link Between Prayer and Speech
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
More Related Verses:
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2
“Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” – Thessalonians 5:16-18
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.” – Matthew 6:5
Proverbs 25:17 – Handling Conflict with Gentle Words
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you.” – Proverbs 25:17
More Related Verses:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” – Matthew 18:15
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
Ecclesiastes 3:7 – The Value of Silence in Communication
“A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.” – Ecclesiastes 3:7
More Related Verses:
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” – Proverbs 17:28
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” – Proverbs 21:23
Proverbs 29:11 – How Angry Words Lead to Ruin
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Proverbs 29:11
More Related Verses:
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” – Proverbs 15:18
“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man.” – Proverbs 22:24
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” – Psalms 37:8
Galatians 5:22 – The Role of the Holy Spirit in Controlling Speech
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” – Galatians 5:22
More Related Verses:
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
Ephesians 4:15 – Speaking Truth with Love
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15
More Related Verses:
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” – Proverbs 12:19
“For we are not unaware of his schemes.” – 2 Corinthians 2:11
Proverbs 14:29 – The Importance of Thoughtfulness in Our Words
“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” – Proverbs 14:29
More Related Verses:
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth.” – Matthew 15:11
“A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.” – Ecclesiastes 10:2
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 25:11 – Navigating Difficult Conversations
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.” – Proverbs 25:11
More Related Verses:
“Right words are like apples of gold in settings of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” – Proverbs 20:5
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
Deuteronomy 6:7 – Teaching Children the Value of Words
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” – Deuteronomy 6:7
More Related Verses:
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” – Colossians 3:21
James 1:26 – The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Speech
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” – James 1:26
More Related Verses:
“But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.'” – James 5:12
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.” – James 3:6
“The excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.” – Proverbs 12:4
Philippians 2:3 – The Role of Humility in Our Dialogue
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
More Related Verses:
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
“With humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.” – Proverbs 29:23
Proverbs 18:13 – Celebrating Positive Speech in Community
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13
More Related Verses:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalms 119:11
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” – Colossians 4:6
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Final Thoughts
Controlling our tongues is vital to fostering healthy relationships and building a harmonious community. The Bible emphasizes that our words have the power to uplift or destroy, encouraging us to choose them wisely. Proverbs reminds us that “the tongue has the power of life and death,” and in recognizing this truth, we understand our responsibility to speak with kindness and truthfulness.
We live in a world where words can easily lead to conflict or misunderstanding; therefore, incorporating patience, humility, and love in our dialogue becomes essential. The teachings in James encourage us that while taming the tongue is challenging, it is not impossible through faith and practice. As we meditate on these scriptures, let us commit to using our words to bless, heal, and uplift those around us.