What Does the Bible Say About Treacherous Tongue?

James 3:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

James 3:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

James 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

James 1:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 3:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

James 3:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Revelation 20:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

Revelation 20:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. ...

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

1 John 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

1 John 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

James 4:1-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ...

James 3:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

James 3:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

James 2:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

James 2:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? ...

James 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

Romans 3:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”

Romans 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 18:20-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 18:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 12:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

Proverbs 12:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Psalm 140:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

1 Kings 8:46 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,

53 Bible Verses about Treacherous Tongue

James 3:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 20:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 20:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 20:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:1-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:20-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 140:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 8:46 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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