If a man does not offend by speaking improperly, that man is a perfect man, and is able to control the whole body. A horse can be turned about by the bridle to its mouth, and a ship can be turned by a very small helm.
These illustrations are used in the Bible to show us the influence and effect of the tongue in the body. It is a very little member, but it may control the whole body. Many things have been tamed by mankind, “but the tongue can no man tame”. How varied are its uses! With the tongue, we bless God, and we “curse men which are made after the similitude of God”. Blessing and cursing proceed from the same mouth; this ought not so to be. The tongue has power for evil, for “it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell”. It has also a power for good, for “the tongue of the just is as chosen silver” and “a wholesome tongue is a tree of life”. The power of the tongue is spoken of in the Bible, in many ways, among which we find evil-speaking, back-biting, the double-tongue, foolish talking, sinful boasting, and flattering lips. This is a matter closely related to our living holy lives, to our obtaining spiritual blessings here, and ultimately to the Day of Judgement. “By thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
The “talebearer” is a scourge to society. He will be at pains to circulate his report. God has spoken expressly against this sinful conduct. “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among the people.” Winslow observes in connection with the words “death is in the power of the tongue” that there is death in the work of the talebearer, death to domestic happiness and individual reputation. Shun the talebearer, set your face as a flint against him, and let him see “by our look that his presence is as distasteful as his mission is abhorrent”. To a false sense of Christian love this may not seem the Christian thing to do, but God’s ways are better than ours, and He has said that “The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue”.
The “slanderer” falls under a similar condemnation. Here is what Winslow has to say about such: “The slanderer is not merely the idle gossip, he is more. He is the inventor, or, what is equally criminal, he is the propagator of calumny itself. Envious of a rival, resolved upon shading the lustre, or bent upon the total extinction of a star circling in a wider and brighter orbit than his own, he either coins or gives currency to a lie injurious to the character of some public servant of God, or the reputation and happiness of some private individual moving in the quiet and unobtrusive walks of usefulness. Is there not death in this unhallowed use of the tongue?”
The “backbiter” engages in an evil work. His is especially a cruel activity. He takes advantage of the absence of the victim, to do injury to his character and name. How unworthy of Christians, and how unlike the heaven they profess to seek. “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”
The “anonymous” pen or tongue, spreading evil and causing unrest, must be classed among the dangerous elements in society. If the person’s intentions are good, he need not conceal his identity. If they are evil, then how cowardly and mean is he. He conceals himself, while he injures others. He who resorts to the pen to malign others, behind their backs, whether he put his name to the writing or not, is not worthy of being called a “man”, let alone a Christian. Those who, when they receive such letters, delight in them or further spread their contents, are as guilty as the one who gave them origin. It is our Christian duty to speak “man to man”. He who cannot face you with what he has to say to you, hardly deserves the high title of “friend”.
The “flatterer” is a dangerous person. He is more so because his words are pleasing to our fallen and vain minds. God says that “A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet”. Few there are who do not fall victim to the praise of the flatterer. Few possess the humility of mind that strengthens against his devastating influence. To flatter the Christian is to oppose the lowliness of mind with which he should walk before God and fellow Christians. It is cruel, unkind, and unchristian.
We must learn the lesson so clearly illustrated in the Bible. The tongue can no man tame. No man can, but God can. Blessed by His grace to reign within us, we can think of and speak of, Christ. “Out of the abundance of the heart”, the mouth will speak of Jesus.
(Reprinted from “Faithful Witness” — July 1979)