Twelve “Tongue Tamers”: Scriptures About Controlling Your Words

Twelve “Tongue Tamers”

Scriptures about controlling your words

The following Bible verses are a few of many that address the power of words and your responsibility for what you speak. Memorizing and meditating on these Scriptures and others can help you remember to speak with wisdom and discretion.

“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils.” (Proverbs 13:3).
“Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked for, than his amendment.” (Proverbs 29:20).
“He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.” (Proverbs 18:13).
“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36).
“Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29).
“A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.” (Proverbs 15:23).
“He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.” (Proverbs 21:23).
“A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.. . . . A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:1, 4).
“Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28).
“The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels.” (Proverbs 18:8).
“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.” (I Peter 3:10).
“And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain.” (James 1:26).