50 Bible Verses about The Tongue

Most Relevant Verses

James 3:6

And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).

James 3:8

But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

Proverbs 10:31


The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 10:20


The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

James 3:5

In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!

James 3:2

For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

1 Corinthians 14:2

For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].

1 Corinthians 14:27

If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said].

Isaiah 57:4


“Of whom do you make fun?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion (sin),
Offspring of deceit,

Psalm 12:4


Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord and master over us?”

Job 33:2


“Behold, I have opened my mouth [to begin my speech];
My tongue in my mouth is going to speak.

James 3:4

And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

Job 5:21


“You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
And you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

Psalm 120:2


Rescue my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,
And from a deceitful tongue.

Job 20:12


“Though evil and wickedness are sweet in his mouth
And he hides it under his tongue,

Psalm 109:2


For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me;
They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

James 3:3

Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.

1 Corinthians 14:9

So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!

1 Corinthians 14:19

nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].

Job 34:3


“For the ear puts words to the test
As the palate tastes food.

Psalm 31:18


Let the lying lips be mute,
Which speak insolently and arrogantly against the [consistently] righteous
With pride and contempt.

Matthew 15:18

But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man.

Psalm 55:9


Confuse [my enemies], O Lord, divide their tongues [destroying their schemes],
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Jeremiah 18:18

Then [my enemies] said, “Come and let us work out schemes against Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest [as Jeremiah predicts], nor the counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us strike him with our tongue [by making charges against him before the king], and let us ignore anything he says.”

1 Corinthians 14:14

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].

Acts 2:3

There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit].

James 3:10

Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts].

Proverbs 6:24


To keep you from the evil woman,
From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.

Psalm 68:23


That your foot may crush them in blood,
That the tongue of your dogs may have its share from your enemies.”

Genesis 11:7

Come, let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

Proverbs 10:19


When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

Psalm 64:8


So they will be caused to stumble;
Their own tongue is against them;
All who gaze at them will shake the head [in scorn].

1 Corinthians 14:28

But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:22

Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.

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From Thematic Bible


Fire » Illustrative of » The tongue

Proverbs 16:27


A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

James 3:6

And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).

Speech/communication » The tongue

James 3:2-12

For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature. If we set bits in the horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about. Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. read more.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna). For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature). But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.

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