The Tongue
T is for Tongue
1. the fleshy muscular organ in
the mouth of a mammal, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and (in humans)
articulating speech.
the mouth of a mammal, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and (in humans)
articulating speech.
2. Tongue phrases – Tongue in cheek, tongue-tied
3. Tongue idioms – Hold your tongue, Has the cat got your tongue:,
Speak with a forked tongue, A slip of the tongue, Tongue lashing, Sharp tongue,
Set tongues wagging, Roll off the tongue, Silver-tongued
Speak with a forked tongue, A slip of the tongue, Tongue lashing, Sharp tongue,
Set tongues wagging, Roll off the tongue, Silver-tongued
On September 13, 2014, we had the joy of
hearing the tongues of our granddaughter and new grandson saying, “I do.” Never have those two words sounded as sweet
in the green meadow wedding on that early crisp fall morning. “I do.”
hearing the tongues of our granddaughter and new grandson saying, “I do.” Never have those two words sounded as sweet
in the green meadow wedding on that early crisp fall morning. “I do.”
“I do” is filled with submission and love. First, submission is focused on our Lord and
Savior and then between the bride and groom.
This moment is in a short time on earth that creates a memory of joy for
all time.
Savior and then between the bride and groom.
This moment is in a short time on earth that creates a memory of joy for
all time.
We use our tongue every day, for such a tiny
organ it has many uses, from moving food in our mouth and swallowing our daily
sustenance. The tongue’s dexterity
enables the owner to make music with different instruments. I remember my brothers learning to blow the
trumpet and master the clarinet, and our children learned the flute, saxophone,
trumpet and the clarinet while in the band.
organ it has many uses, from moving food in our mouth and swallowing our daily
sustenance. The tongue’s dexterity
enables the owner to make music with different instruments. I remember my brothers learning to blow the
trumpet and master the clarinet, and our children learned the flute, saxophone,
trumpet and the clarinet while in the band.
I learned how to sing with the diaphragm,
letting my tongue help with the high notes.
We take our tongue for granted until it gets us into trouble. There are choices to make in the use of the
tongue. There are six things the LORD
hates— no, seven things He detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that
kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
Proverbs 6:16-18
letting my tongue help with the high notes.
We take our tongue for granted until it gets us into trouble. There are choices to make in the use of the
tongue. There are six things the LORD
hates— no, seven things He detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that
kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
Proverbs 6:16-18
A lying tongue is second in the list God
hates. I learned early about telling the
truth, no matter what. A lying tongue
gets us into more trouble than a truthful tongue. God hates a lying tongue.
hates. I learned early about telling the
truth, no matter what. A lying tongue
gets us into more trouble than a truthful tongue. God hates a lying tongue.
Grandpa Rufus Combs learned in Texas that a
man’s word is his bond; no signed paper needed.
My Uncle said, yes, that’s the way we do things out here in the west. If
a man’s word ain’t no good, and his name ain’t good, what’s the use of wasting
all the paper? I says, “What happened if I sold everything and the mules and
took the money and left the country?” He said, “Oh, that’s what t’ got the
mesquite trees and lariat ropes for, for those kind of guys.”
http://www.combs-families.org/combs/ms/rufus/c-rufus2.htm
man’s word is his bond; no signed paper needed.
My Uncle said, yes, that’s the way we do things out here in the west. If
a man’s word ain’t no good, and his name ain’t good, what’s the use of wasting
all the paper? I says, “What happened if I sold everything and the mules and
took the money and left the country?” He said, “Oh, that’s what t’ got the
mesquite trees and lariat ropes for, for those kind of guys.”
http://www.combs-families.org/combs/ms/rufus/c-rufus2.htm
Grandpa Combs lived to be 91, and I often think
of this verse in reference to him. For
the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep
your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. I Peter 3:10
And this one, Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue
crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
of this verse in reference to him. For
the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep
your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. I Peter 3:10
And this one, Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue
crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
James deals with the choices we make on how to
use the tongue. A list of synonyms and
idioms are filled with choices not pleasing to God. When anger and pride reigns our choices are
not pleasing to God. I remember being so
angry at one time that my head felt as it was burning. I recognized that I was out of control. It was then that I chose not to allow myself
to ever, ever be as angry again. Gentle
words combined with a forgiving heart, gives us strength from God. A good test of conquering anger is the
ability to pray for the person for whom you previously felt anger. It takes
humility and submission and a conscious choice.
use the tongue. A list of synonyms and
idioms are filled with choices not pleasing to God. When anger and pride reigns our choices are
not pleasing to God. I remember being so
angry at one time that my head felt as it was burning. I recognized that I was out of control. It was then that I chose not to allow myself
to ever, ever be as angry again. Gentle
words combined with a forgiving heart, gives us strength from God. A good test of conquering anger is the
ability to pray for the person for whom you previously felt anger. It takes
humility and submission and a conscious choice.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29).
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29).
How do we tame our tongues to keep from hurting
others and ourselves?
others and ourselves?
• Rely
on God’s strength to aid us.
(Philippians 4:13)
on God’s strength to aid us.
(Philippians 4:13)
•
Dedicate your heart and tongue to the Lord EACH day. (Psalm 19:14 – One of Grandma Daisy’s
favorite verses.)
Dedicate your heart and tongue to the Lord EACH day. (Psalm 19:14 – One of Grandma Daisy’s
favorite verses.)
• Put
your heart in tune with God’s Spirit by daily reading his Word. (Timothy 3:
16-17)
your heart in tune with God’s Spirit by daily reading his Word. (Timothy 3:
16-17)
•
Meditate on Scriptures that address the power of words (Psalm 119:11)
Meditate on Scriptures that address the power of words (Psalm 119:11)
•
Assume responsibility for every word you speak. (Matthew 12:36)
Assume responsibility for every word you speak. (Matthew 12:36)
• Ask
those around you if you use words that are offensive. (Proverbs 27:6, 17
those around you if you use words that are offensive. (Proverbs 27:6, 17
•
Commit yourself to giving a good report and when it is necessary to
following Biblical principles of correction. (Matthew 18:15)
Commit yourself to giving a good report and when it is necessary to
following Biblical principles of correction. (Matthew 18:15)
•
Fulfill past promises, and think carefully before making any new
promises. (Matthew 5:37)
Fulfill past promises, and think carefully before making any new
promises. (Matthew 5:37)
• Ask
for forgiveness for any unloving words or attitudes (Ephesians 4:31-32)
for forgiveness for any unloving words or attitudes (Ephesians 4:31-32)
•
Learn to speak words that will encourage, comfort, inspire and
edify. (James 3:13) http://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-learn-control-my-tongue
Learn to speak words that will encourage, comfort, inspire and
edify. (James 3:13) http://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-learn-control-my-tongue
Scriptures
• I
said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold
my tongue when the
ungodly are around me.” Psalm 39:1
said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold
my tongue when the
ungodly are around me.” Psalm 39:1
• I have
sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my
word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.” Isaiah 45:23
sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my
word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.” Isaiah 45:23
• If you
claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
• And
among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness,
corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set
on fire by hell itself. James 3:6
among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness,
corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set
on fire by hell itself. James 3:6
•…that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father. Philippians 2:10-12
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father. Philippians 2:10-12
Comments? eacombs@att.net