What other scriptures warn against the dangers of harmful speech like in Psalm 59:7? Psalm 59:7—A Snapshot of Destructive Speech “They spew evil from their mouths; sharp words from their lips: ‘For who can hear us?’” Echoes in Proverbs: Wisdom That Guards the Mouth • Proverbs 10:19 — “When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” • Proverbs 11:9 — “With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.” • Proverbs 12:18 — “Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” • Proverbs 15:4 — “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” • Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” • Proverbs 21:23 — “He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.” Echoes in the Psalms and Prophets: God’s Repeated Alarm • Psalm 52:2-4 — “Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit… You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.” • Psalm 64:3 — “They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows.” • Psalm 140:3 — “They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips.” • Isaiah 59:3-4 — “Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongues mutter injustice…” • Jeremiah 9:8 — “Their tongue is a deadly arrow—it speaks deceit; with his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets an ambush.” New Testament Exhortations: The Tongue Under Christ’s Lordship • Matthew 12:36-37 — “I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” • Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.” • Colossians 3:8 — “But now you must put away all such things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.” • Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” • James 1:19 — “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • James 1:26 — “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.” • James 3:5-10 — “The tongue is a small part of the body… a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” • 1 Peter 3:10 — “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” Putting It All Together: Themes We Can’t Miss • God’s word is true in every line, so these cautions are literal and binding. • Harmful speech is portrayed as a weapon—razor, sword, arrow, deadly poison. • The tongue exposes the heart; restraining it demonstrates wisdom and godliness. • Unchecked words invite judgment; wholesome words dispense grace and life. • In Christ, believers are called to purposeful, gracious, truth-filled speech that reflects the character of the One who never spoke deceit. |
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