The Bible has a lot to say about the power of the tongue. Our words can build people up or tear them down, bring joy or cause pain.
The Bible teaches that the tongue is incredibly powerful and can have a big impact on our lives and the lives of others. Below are important Bible verses about the tongue that you need to know.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Controlling Your Tongue
Top Bible Verses on the Power of the Tongue
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
James 3:5-6
“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.”
Proverbs 15:4
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Matthew 12:36-37
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
The Tongue’s Ability to Build Up
Proverbs 25:11
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Isaiah 50:4
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”
Proverbs 10:11
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Proverbs 10:21
“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”
The Tongue’s Ability to Destroy
Psalm 52:2
“Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.”
James 3:8
“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Proverbs 26:20
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”
The Tongue’s Role in Truth and Lies
Proverbs 12:19
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
John 8:44
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Proverbs 14:5
“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”
Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Zechariah 8:16
“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.”
The Tongue’s Role in Worship
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Psalm 71:8
“My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”
Psalm 63:3
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”
Psalm 35:28
“My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.”
Romans 10:10
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Minding Your Own Business
The Tongue’s Role in Wisdom
Proverbs 15:2
“The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.”
Ecclesiastes 10:12
“Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
Proverbs 18:4
“The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.”
Proverbs 15:7
“The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.”
Proverbs 10:31
“From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.”
The Tongue’s Power in Prayer
1 John 5:14-15
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
The Tongue’s Role in Encouragement
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
1 Peter 3:10
“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’”
Isaiah 55:11
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Proverbs 12:25
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
The Tongue’s Influence in Leadership
Titus 2:7-8
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
2 Timothy 2:16
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
Proverbs 11:9
“With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”
The Tongue’s Role in Witnessing
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
Matthew 10:19-20
“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
he Tongue’s Power in Teaching
James 3:1
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Proverbs 16:23
“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Romans 12:6-7
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.”
The Tongue’s Role in Healing
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Psalm 107:20
“He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Matthew 12:34-35
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”
Psalm 19:14
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Minding Your Own Business