Guarding our tongues is a challenge to almost all of us.  It is very easy to have a slip of the tongue, something we all probably do from time to time.  This is why James once wrote, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body (James 3:2).

To stay on the road to victory, we have to be especially careful with how we use our tongues.  There are a few things we should watch out for if we are to avoid sinning in word.  First, we must control our emotions.  Many unnecessary words are uttered when our emotions get the best of us.  Have you ever said something when you were mad that you immediately regretted?  I have, but anger is no excuse.  God expects us to live with self-control.

That we can control our emotions is clear because God commands us to do it .  Listen to these emotions that we must keep under control.

Ephesians 4:31 (ESV)
³¹  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Four of the six things that Paul says we must put away are emotions (bitterness, wrath, anger, and malice), and the other two, interestingly enough, are sins committed with the tongue.  The point of it is this—we can choose not to have these negative emotions if we want to, and it will make avoiding sinning with the tongue much easier.

Perhaps the greatest cause of sinning with the tongue is simply not guarding it as closely as we should.  In other words, it is due to carelessness.  Jesus warns us about this.

Matthew 12:36 (ESV)
³⁶  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

The Greek word for careless denotes uselessness.  Thayer says it refers to “things from which no profit is derived.”  When it comes to our speech, usually carelessness and uselessness go hand in hand.  When we speak carelessly, our words are usually useless, and many times hurtful.  Hurtful words do not always come from a nefarious heart.  Most of the time when we hurt people with our words, it is simply because we use our tongues carelessly.  What is the solution?  I know this sounds simple, but the truth is, we must train ourselves to think before we speak.  Back to Ephesians 4, notice what Paul says in ver. 29:

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
²⁹  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

These instructions from Paul demand thought and consideration.  Before you decide to give someone a piece of your mind, think about whether it is good for building up.  It would be helpful to all of us to consider the wisdom in speaking less often rather than too much.

Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV)
¹⁹  In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.