Sins of the Tongue

The talk addresses the sins of the tongue and the danger of the words that a person speaks, explaining that the tongue is a small member, yet it can become a cause of good or evil. It emphasizes that a person should not think that losing his eternity is connected only with major sins, because sins of the tongue can bring judgment upon a person. Examples of these sins include lying, swearing, judging others, mocking them, hurting their feelings, insulting, cursing, speaking angrily, blasphemy, false teaching, pride, praising oneself, and excessive speech without benefit.

Spiritual Message

The talk explains that a word cannot be taken back after it leaves the mouth, and therefore a person should weigh his words before speaking. It also encourages listening more than speaking and controlling the tongue without transmitting other people’s words or revealing their secrets. It emphasizes that the source of speech is not the tongue alone, but also the heart, thought, mind, and knowledge; therefore, purity of the tongue begins with purity of the heart. Prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit can also be sources of beneficial and wise speech, so that a person speaks according to God’s will.

Educational Lesson

The talk teaches us that a wise person knows when to speak and when to remain silent, and that it is not necessary to answer every question or enter into every subject. A person should also not claim knowledge of what he does not know, because speaking without knowledge may mislead others. A person’s character and personality are revealed through his words, his manner of speaking, and the precision of his expression; therefore, his speech should be trustworthy.

Practical Application

Every person should review the mistakes of his tongue and try to resist them one by one, training himself to think before speaking and to weigh every word. He should also keep people’s secrets, avoid repeating everything he hears, and refrain from participating in conversations that do not concern him or are not appropriate for him. When he speaks, his words should be for God, for edification, and for spiritual benefit, bringing encouragement, comfort, praise, and benefit to others. If a person cannot benefit others through his words, then at least he should not harm or confuse them through them.

For better translation support, please contact the center.