“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Peter 3:10)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Prov. 18:21) By our words we can bring ourselves into favor with man. “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.” (Prov. 16:13) “He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” (Prov. 22:11) But by our words we can bring ourselves into a heap of trouble. “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.” (Prov. 18:6)
Paul warns young men to watch their words, especially at work.
“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” (Titus 2:6-10)
Our chief vocation is to glorify God. Our worship of Him is in vain if it’s only in church. We may bless Him well in church, but do we curse men who are made in His image when we leave church? “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:10)
Only as we keep our hearts with all diligence will we keep our mouths, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matt. 12:34) And oh how much unnecessary drama will we avoid if we watch our words! “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” (Prov. 21:23)