Have you ever heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” This phrase couldn’t be any more wrong! Words not only hurt, but they can be destructive. The Apostle James had this to say about the tongue: “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6).

With our mouths we can build up or we can tear down. In Proverbs 10 the Teacher compares the mouth of the wise to the mouth of the foolish. The wise use their mouths for good, to build up, to encourage, to exhort, to pray, and to speak life.

1. When have the words of others hurt you?

2. What are some ways you can work to “tame your tongue” so that what comes out of your mouth is pleasing to the Lord?