100 Bible Verses about The Power Of The Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 138 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 105 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 97 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.

James 1:26 ESV / 68 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 67 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 67 helpful votes

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 62 helpful votes

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

James 3:8 ESV / 61 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 61 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 61 helpful votes

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

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 60 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 60 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 55 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;

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 48 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 43 helpful votes

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

James 3:6 ESV / 42 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.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

James 3:5 ESV / 37 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!

Matthew 15:18 ESV / 37 helpful votes

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 36 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 1:19 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 36 helpful votes

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

James 3:9 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 30 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 26 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 25 helpful votes

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

James 3:2 ESV / 24 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.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 24 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Philippians 2:14 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Proverbs 18:20 ESV / 24 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 24 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 18:4 ESV / 24 helpful votes

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 24 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Psalm 118:5 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 24 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Proverbs 6:17 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 18 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, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

James 4:11 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

James 3:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

James 3:5-8 ESV / 18 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! 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. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:4 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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.

James 3:3-6 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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! 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.

James 3:1-12 ESV / 18 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! ...

John 8:44 ESV / 18 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.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 18 helpful votes

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 25:15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 18:20-21 ESV / 18 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 18:19 ESV / 18 helpful votes

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Proverbs 12:6 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:11 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 6:2 ESV / 18 helpful votes

If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Psalm 101:5 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 18 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

Genesis 1:3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:26 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

1 Corinthians 6:10 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 13 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.”

Proverbs 13:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

James 3:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

James 3:9-12 ESV / 12 helpful votes

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

James 3:5-6 ESV / 12 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! 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.

James 3:3 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Titus 3:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 12 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 12 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. ...

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Romans 3:13-14 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Romans 1:30 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

Acts 2:38 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:26 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.

Acts 2:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 1:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

John 9:1-41 ESV / 12 helpful votes

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 12 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.

Mark 11:23 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

Matthew 12:35 ESV / 12 helpful votes

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 12 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 7:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Proverbs 31:26 ESV / 12 helpful votes

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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