CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

There is a muscle in the human body that can cause more heartache, more pain, more

mistrust, and more anger, than all the other muscles put together. It is so powerful

that it has caused betrayals, murders, wars, and riots. It is a factor in the destruction of

friendships, relationships, and families, and is a major factor in most separations and

divorces.

The tongue has been the tool men have used to inflict the most pain. However, the

tongue is not solely to blame because it is only a tool of the heart (Matthew 12:34).

God tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately

wicked; who can know it?” In Matthew 15:18-19, Christ echoes this: “But those

things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,

false witness, and blasphemies.”

Remember the old children's saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but

words can never hurt me”? In most cases, this is a lie. The hurtful words that we

speak can create scars that last longer than any physical scar that sticks and stones

may cause. The human body is quite resilient in healing itself from physical injury in

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a matter of days or weeks, but it may take years or in some cases, a lifetime to heal

the injuries words cause.

1.1 Background of the Study

There is a weapon that is more powerful than any other weapon known to man. And

it has been in existence since the creation of mankind; it has been known to start

wars, ruin friendships, spars national revolutions. It has ruined more reputations,

wrecked more homes, split more churches, driven more men out of the ministry and

caused more hatred than any other weapon in the world.

Contrary to popular opinion…the most powerful weapon in the world is not the

atomic bomb…nor is it some laser beam aimed from outer space. Indeed it is not

even a weapon made by man. Concealed as a sniper, quick as a bullet and deadly as

a gun it is the three inch animal that lives in a pool of saliva behind an ivory cage of

teeth known as the “Tongue”. There is incredibly awesome power in the tongue.

Our words have power in them it can bring life or death, blessing or cursing, but the

key is to say kind words because it will bring healing to the soul. All of us do many

wrong things but it says in James 3:2 if you can control your tongue, you are mature

and able to control your whole body. In James 3:3-5 it clearly states that the tongue

steers the entire body. As it is set before a person, their tongue can direct their life for

good or evil.

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In Proverbs 18:21 it says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Therefore,

the tongue can be used to build a strong marriage and this makes it important to speak

words of encouragement through your conversation with your mate. Words are

important even when it seems it is not. In Ephesians 5:26 it tells us that the husband

should follow Jesus example in washing his bride with his words. Women and men

can both speak about 16,000 words per day and can think even faster. Therefore,

positive words that are spoken should be used as great tools to help maintain,

strengthen, restore, and build.

This is why it is important that both the men and women need to continuously aim at

controlling their tongues. Everything that is said, will either help or hinder, heal or

scar, build up or tear down. It is for the reason that the researcher decided to

investigate into “Understanding the Power of the Tongue”

1.2 Statement of the Problem

God created in man the ability to communicate with the spoken word. He gave us the

tongue as a tool to use to speak with each other. It enables us to tell each other how

we feel and what we think, as well as to convey words of wisdom, hope,

encouragement, and love. He gave us the ability to worship Him in speech, to

communicate His laws and His ways.

Unfortunately, however, this gift from God is all too often used by Satan for his own

plans. The Devil hates God and His laws and ways, and he does everything possible
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to destroy relationships. He starts rumors and encourages prejudices. He will do

anything and everything that he can to create differences between people and to get

people upset with one another. At every opportunity, he tries to create stumbling

blocks for God's people by fracturing their relationships with family, friends, and

brethren. This way, their minds become focused on their differences, rather than on

the ways of God.

Life changing events turn on the smallest of words of man. Words have enormous

power to change the direction of lives. The tongue can bring some life’s greatest joys

or it can bring some life’s greatest pains. Our tongue has the power to kill and to give

life, (Proverb 18:21).

Several situations in life have escalated beyond control based on rumors, tongues,

stories, but everything is in the hands of God. The tongue is a very dangerous tool

and a formidable weapon given by God to man. The tongue can be the most

destructive weapon on earth; its misuse has damaged more lives than all the weapons

of war or disease on this planet.

Your tongue can be used as a weapon of warfare and the establishment of your

destiny. And what comes out of the mouth is such a nature that it can out go beyond

your generation. What had been spoken can out live the person who spoke it, (Joshua

6:26, 1Kings 16:34).

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How effective are you using this wonderful weapon to build and sharpened your

destiny? You have to develop strong self- control over your tongue. Learn to use your

tongue to your advantage and not to your disadvantage. Learn to speak positively into

your life.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to determine the extent to which we understand

this smallest weapon imbibed in us and how we can use it effectively to strengthen,

build and destroy the works of darkness. The specific objectives of the Study are to:

1. To get a clear understanding of this organ called the Tongue.

2. To examine the Strife of the Tongues

3. To examine the Right and Wrong Uses of the Tongue

4. To examine how to tame the Tongue.

1.4 Significance of the Study

You probably know the pain of regretting words you have spoken: words of pride,

dishonesty, envy, gossip, or anger. Although you can seek to restore bruised

relationships through repentance and forgiveness, spoken words can never be

retrieved. Scripture warns, “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). This study is aid to show the various ways in which we

can control our tongues.

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The purpose of this research work is so that we can understand the dynamics of the

conflict, and move forward in victory, rather than lie in defeat. Our goal is to advance

the Kingdom of God, take territory from the enemy and bring souls into the kingdom.

If we understand how our enemy works, his traps and strategies are less likely to take

us by surprise.

The findings will also be of great importance to the academias as the findings will

add to the pool of knowledge.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This study is intended to cover the topic “Understanding the Power of the Tongue”

and its intricacies with special emphasis on its impact on the spiritual life of church

members, using Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Asaba, its branches as a

study area

1.6 Research Procedures

The research was conducted through the survey method. Both qualitative and

quantitative processes were used in the study. The approaches were narrative,

descriptive and reflective; it was used to gather information from respondents per

their opinions on the research topic: “Understanding the Power of the Tongue”

The statistics and the information used were the result of the survey that the study

undertook among different branches of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

(MFM) Churches in the Oshmili South Local Government area, Delta State. The data

was gathered through interviews and questionnaires. The works of various scholars

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and writers in the forms of journals, articles, bible dictionaries, encyclopedias and

internet materials were consulted and reviewed in order to give a firm grounding to

the research.

1.7 Limitation to the Study

It is envisaged that some limitations are however expected in this research. Amongst

some of the anticipated challenges/limitations include:

1. Availability of research material. The research material available to the

researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.     

2. The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the

researcher has to combine other church activities and examinations with the

study.

3. The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage

as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to

cover.

Nevertheless, there are significant posers to show that the proposed research work is

feasible and will be successfully conducted.

1.8 Definition of terms

Most of the words and concepts in this paper are clearly recognizable and easily

understood. There are a few, however, which deserve to be defined for the sake of

enhanced clarity. There are listed as follows:

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Power: Power is an English logical construct referring to a variety of ideas relating to

ability, capacity, authority, and might/strength. In human relationships, power is the

authority one person holds over another.

The biblical description of power relates primarily to God and people. Power is an

inherent characteristic of God (Romans 1:20). It is the result of his nature. God's kind

of power is seen in his creation (Psalm 19; 150:1; Jeremiah 10:12). His inexplicable

power is the only explanation for the virgin birth of Jesus (Luke 1:35). Power is

always a derived characteristic for people, who receive power from God ( Deut 8:18 ;

Isa 40:29 ; Micah 3:8 ; Matt 22:29 ; 1 Corinthians 2:4 ; Ephesians 3:7 ), from political

position (Esther 1:3 ; Luke 20:20), from armies (1 Chronicles 20:1), and from other

structures that provide advantage over others. When humans perceive that their power

is intrinsic to themselves, they are self-deceived (Leviticus 26:19; Deuteronomy 8:17-

18; Hosea 2:7-9; John 19:10-11).

Tongue: Tongue supposedly came from the Latin word lingua, meaning “language,”

but you can't hear the similarity because we pronounce it TUNG, keeping the “ue”

silent. A tongue can be anything shaped like your tongue. The flap of leather under

your shoelaces is called a tongue, and so is the striker inside a bell. Tongue also

means language, like the German tongue, or the Cajun tongue. As a verb, tongue

means “lick,” as in when the dog tongues your empty plate.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

Since time began, the tongue has communicated the most beautiful of thoughts, it has

spoken great truths, it has told the world of great events, it has been used by the

billions of souls who have professed the name of Jesus Christ, it’s been used by Jesus

Christ when He was on earth, but it’s also been the downfall of many and lead to

unimaginable evil.

Around 100 years before Christ, Roman philosopher, Cicero wrote how the eyes are

the window of the soul. If this is true, then your mouth is the door to your heart and

therefore it defines you. Throughout history people have come up with sayings that

indicate the importance of how we use our mouths.

 Keep your tongue a prisoner and your body will go free.

 Think twice before you speak once.

 A long tongue shortens friendships.

 One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is his tail wags instead of his

tongue.

 “Whatever is in the heart will come up to the tongue.” Persian proverb

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This chapter is a review of existing literatures by other researchers which are relevant

to the area of the research being conducted. It is the identification of existing

information associated with the “Understand the Power of the Tongue”. More

specifically, it is a documentation of available knowledge on some issues concerning

the dependent and independent variables being discussed in this research.

2.1 The Organ called “The Tongue”

The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of most vertebrates that manipulates

food for mastication, and is used in the act of swallowing. It has importance in the

digestive system and is the primary organ of taste in the gustatory system. The

tongue's upper surface (dorsum) is covered by taste buds housed in numerous lingual

papillae. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly supplied with nerves

and blood vessels. The tongue also serves as a natural means of cleaning the teeth.

(Maton, Hopkins, McLaughlin, Johnson, Ssan; Warner, LaHart, Wright, 1993)A

major function of the tongue is the enabling of speech in humans and vocalization in

other animals.

The human tongue is divided into two parts, an oral part at the front and a pharyngeal

part at the back. The left and right sides are also separated along most of its length by

a vertical section of fibrous tissue (the lingual septum) that results in a groove, the

median sulcus on the tongue's surface. (Kerrod, 1997)

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There are two groups of muscles of the tongue. The four intrinsic muscles alter the

shape of the tongue and are not attached to bone. The four paired extrinsic muscles

change the position of the tongue and are anchored to bone.

Proverbs has a lot to say about what we say. In fact, the subject of the tongue and

how we use our words is perhaps the preeminent theme of this book. Over 150 times

in this book alone, Proverbs refers to our lips, our mouth and our tongue. One of the

central issues of the Book of Proverbs is how you use your tongue.

The Bible emphasizes control of the tongue as a matter of great importance. The

books of Psalms and Proverbs abound in cautions about speech. (Proverbs 13:3) says,

“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall

have destruction.” (Proverbs 18:21) says, “Death and life are in the power of the

tongue” and the latter part of the verse can very well be paraphrased “Those who love

to talk shall suffer the consequences.” (Psalm 34:13) says, “Keep thy tongue from

evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Jesus says, “By thy words thou shalt be

justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

The Scriptures speak of lying tongues, flattering tongues, deceitful tongues,

backbiting tongues, and so forth. James was inspired to write much about the tongue.

In fact, the matter of speech is mentioned in some way in every one of the five

chapters of the Book of James (1:26; 2:14; 3:1-12; 4:11-12; 5:12). However, it is in

chapter 3 that we find the most complete instruction on the use of the tongue.

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Over seventeen (17) of the thirty-one (31) proverbs in the Old Testament refer to the

mouth. That probably speaks a lot to the importance God has placed on the correct

use of the tongue. Here are some verses from Psalms and Proverbs that describe its

various characteristics:

a. a flattering tongue (Psalm 5:9)

b. a proud tongue (Psalm 12:3; 73:9)

c. a lying tongue (Psalm 109:2; Prov. 6:17)

d. a deceitful tongue (Psalm 120:2)

e. a perverted tongue (Proverbs 10:31; 17:20)

f. a soothing tongue (Proverbs 15:4)

g. a healing tongue (Proverbs 12:18)

h. a destructive tongue (Proverbs 17:4)

i. a mischievous and wicked tongue (Psalm 10:7)

j. a soft tongue (Proverbs 25:15)

k. a backbiting tongue (Proverbs 25:23)

2.2 The Power of the Tongue

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge it shall eat the

fruit of it [for death or life]. (Proverbs 18:21)

There is a Bible secret of words. Words are spiritual; they carry power. The words we

speak are of vital importance to our lives (Copeland, 1995). Jesus said, “I say unto
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you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the

day of judgment. For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall

be condemned” (Matthew 12:36, 37).

Scripture variously describes the tongue as “wicked, deceitful, perverse, filthy,

corrupt, flattering, slanderous, gossiping, blasphemous, foolish, boasting,

complaining, cursing, contentious, sensual, and vile. And that list is not exhaustive.”

(Macarthur, 2002)

Smylie (2003) described the tongue as a tool men have used to inflict the most pain.

Interestingly, the problem is not the tongue’s physical location, but its spiritual

connection. In terms of spiritual anatomy, the tongue is directly wed to the heart, and

it is the heart that motivates and manipulates the tongue for good or evil, to bless or

curse. (Matthew 12:35-37) God tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful

above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” In Matthew 15:18-19,

Christ echoes this: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the

heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,

adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies.”

A formidable power dwells within each of us. This power has changed the course of

nations. It is capable of starting and ending wars. And it has made men rich and

women famous. It has the means to commend or corrupt, to bless or to blame. It is the

power of the tongue. (Evan, 2018)

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The tongue is so powerful that Olukoya (2005) described it as a dangerous door that

has caused destruction in our present world. The tongue has the ability to destroy you

or put you over in life. Martin (2017) argued that you cannot overestimate the power

of the tongue. The tongue is like the bit in a horse’s mouth, the small rudder on a

huge ship, and the spark that ignites a large fire. All of these items are small, yet are

powerful in use. Just so the tongue can sway men to violence, or it can move them to

noble actions. The tongue can instruct the unlearned and encourage the sorrowing, or

it can destroy reputations and spread distrust and hate. The tongue is one of those

small things that has a tremendous scope of power.

Rogers (2011) defined the tongue as the meanest member living in us. It is a fire and

a world of iniquity. The tongue can direct, the tongue can destroy, the tongue can

delight, and the tongue is a very powerful thing. James says three things about the

tongue. First of all, he speaks of the influence of the tongue. And, then James speaks

of the iniquity of the tongue. And, then James speaks of the inconsistency of the

tongue.

There are several things that an unbridled tongue will do. It will boast of many

things, it can kindle destructive fires, it is a world of iniquity (sinfulness), it follows

the course of nature, is full of poison, an unruly evil and sets us on the course of hell

itself. Some have called the tongue, “The little red devil behind the white pearly

gates.” Whatever you may call it, your tongue has the capacity to do great harm and

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destruction. If that was not enough, it also says no man can tame this member of our

body. As crazy as it may seem, it also has the power to bring life.

2.2.1 Understanding basic facts about the Tongue. James 3:5-8

God greatly desires for us to use this power to bring glory to His name and to

advance His kingdom here on Earth. He wants us to speak with love and to declare

truth boldly. But, Satan also wants a piece of that action. He tries to keep us in the

dark about the power of our words and entices us to use them for harm instead of

hope.

You cannot master your journey in life, until you master your tongue. Nothing will

happen on the earth even though it is the perfect will of God unless somebody speaks

it out. I want you to see the following facts about your tongue. (Bradley, 2018)

1. Your tongue is the mother of your future.

Everything you will be in the future will come forth from the confession of your

mouth, as this acts as the physical opening to spirits in your life. Anytime you open

your mouth, you are opening doors for spirits in your life, either good or evil.

Therefore, you must intelligently turn your tongue loose for your profiting.

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2. Your tongue is your glory.

Your reality in life follows after the confession of your mouth, if there is ever any

area that shame is describing your life, it means that you have wrongly used your

tongue somewhere.

3. Your tongue is the pen of the ready writer. Psalms 45:1.

If the tongue is a pen of a ready writer, it means that it must have something that it

writes on. Your tongue writes on the tablet of your heart and on the hearts of the

people under your sphere of authority.

4. Your tongue is a mixer. Hebrew 4:1-2.

Your tongue is the instrument to mix prophecies and promises from God. Nobody

wants their journey in life to derail, but you actually determine the course of your life

through what you say with your tongue. Many people mix God’s word with doubt in

their lives and the word never profited them.

5. Your tongue is a stirring instrument. 1Timothy 1:6.

It takes more than education to make it in life; it takes the stirring up of favor in your

direction. Every man has the capacity to be generous or greedy, what you stir up by

your continuous confession is what you have in life.

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2.3 The Strife of the Tongues

Psalm 34: 11–13 “Come ye children hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear

of the Lord. What man is he who desireth life, and loveth many days, that he

may see good. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”

The fear of the Lord starts from your tongue. Judicious use of the tongue enables you

to see good days. Likewise if you misuse your tongue, you will see evil days.

Proverbs 13: 3 says, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that

openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”

Proverbs 21: 23 says, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his

soul from troubles.”

Proverbs 15: 14 says, “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh

knowledge, but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.”

Proverbs 8: 21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they

that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

The word is very powerful. There is a powerful secret behind the nature of the word

which men over the ages have failed to realize. Words do not just come ordinarily;

they are backed up by the personality that is speaking. It means that the words that we

speak have spirit beings behind them. They do not exist in isolation. They carry

power.

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According to Olukoya (2015), the following can be termed as strife of Tongues in our

local setting:

1. Curses: Unfortunately, curses are so rampant in our environment that some people

have termed them play-things. But the greatest headache with a curse is that it goes to

the root. When Jesus cursed a fig tree: “You will never bear fruit again,” the next

time He passed by, it had dried to the root. The curse went down to the root. That is

the trouble with curses.

2. Angry exchanges of words: Angry exchanges of words backed up by evil spirits

can cause havoc. That is why when you are angry; it is not good to talk. You must

avoid arguing with people who you know have authority over you. For the same

reason you should not argue with anointed men of God because they may speak angry

words that can do you harm. All those who are filled with the Holy Ghost should

avoid hot verbal exchanges. If not, they may be harming the person they are talking

to.

3. Incantations: Incantation is an invitation to demonic spirits to punish a person.

When invited, demonic spirits will go into operation. You find that before some

people start to fight themselves, the first thing they do is to rain incantations. They

invite evil spirits to come and do some assignments for them.

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4. Evil reports: This occurs when somebody takes somebody’s case to a herbalist,

evil prophet or occult people and say, “Do you see what this idiot did to me? Do you

see? I should get rid of this idiot.”

5. Careless abuses of people playfully: Although you are playing with them, those

words sent out are not for play in the spirit world. They are used against the people.

So, those who play with such abuses as, “Don’t you see his head, don’t you see his

leg, don’t you see his mouth,” are causing trouble. The only thing is that they do not

know the amount of trouble they cause.

6. External reversal of bad words: This is when somebody knows that what he

means is bad, but he twists his tongue and says the good thing. Therefore what he

means internally is what is valid. It is that which he says inside that he has

programmed himself to say. He has just twisted his tongue. Whenever you mean bad

inside and you say well outside, the devil sees your tongue twisting and knows what

you mean. This can cause serious problems.

7. Demonic chants: (Isaiah 8:19) Demonic chanting is the method of destruction

employed by many occult people. There are men who worship snakes. There are men

who wear three-piece suits and work with you in the office but when they get home,

they are different kind of beings. They light candles, kneel before the candles and a

snake or an idol, and if they don’t like you, they chant your name till daybreak. So, if

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you hear people calling you and you don’t know where the voice is coming from, you

should rise up and begin to cancel the chants. It is strife of tongue.

8. Self-direct curse or swearing for denial purposes: (Matthew 5:34-36), so all

those who swear by pointing their fingers to the sky or earth or their heads are doing

something very demonic. That finger you point upwards, if you are not careful, it

may not prosper on anything again, because you have done what is against the word

of God. Anytime your tongue utters a statement against yourself, you do yourself a

lot of spiritual havoc. It is even worse when you do something wrong, and you swear

falsely.

9. Acceptance of demonic prophecies: Somebody stands up and you know that he

has ten wives, and he begins to say Eli, Eli, Eli and after that he says, “My child, hear

the word of the Lord, and you accept what he is saying. He will direct curses at the

root of your life and will say it is from God.

When there is a stripe of tongue, there are three things to do:

 Reject it.

 Reverse it.

 Return it.

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2.4 Right and Wrong Uses of the Tongue

Whether you know it or not, there is the power of life and there is the power of death

within you. Everything you have said in your life time has either been life-giving or

death-dealing, and there is nothing in between. The tongue has the power to kill, to

destroy, to hurt, to maim and to assassinate. (Pritchard, 1994)

Proverbs 18:20-21“From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with

the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and

death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

1. The tongue may be used for wise counsel and sound advice. (Proverbs 10:31;

15:7) What comes out of a righteous man? Wisdom. What comes out of a wise man?

Knowledge. These two things ought to be coming out of your mouth all the time.

2. The tongue can speak rebuke and reproof. (Proverbs 17:10)

If you find a man of understanding and you rebuke him, he will be impressed by your

rebuke more than if you find a fool and beat him with a lash 100 times. That is

because a wise man, a man of discernment, is a man you can come to and say, “My

friend, I think you’re on the wrong path.

(Proverbs 27:6) “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Better to have a friend tell you

the hard truth than have somebody try to butter you up and cover up the hard thing

you need to hear.

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3. The tongue may be used for encouragement. (Proverbs 12:25; 15:4, 23; 16:24)

If you talk to people who work in the healing profession, they will tell you that

whenever there is a patient who is surrounded by positive, optimistic, caring people

who build him up and affirm him, that person has a much better chance of getting

better and will normally recover a lot faster. When you have a patient who is off by

himself and has no encouragement, or who is surrounded by negative, critical,

pessimistic people, that person will have a much harder time getting better under

normal circumstances. Why? Because pleasant words literally bring health to the

bones.

4. The tongue may be used for witnessing to others. (Proverbs 10:21)

That means that you can use your lips to help bring people to God. You can use your

lips to give spiritual nourishment to other people. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree

of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”(Proverbs 11:30) That means that somebody,

somewhere, opened their mouth and gave you the gospel. You are a Christian

because somebody shared the gospel with you, spoke on the radio, from a pulpit, or

because somebody close to you spoke the words of life to you.

Wrong Uses of the Tongue

1. The tongue may be used for flattery. (Proverbs 20:17) That is a picturesque

verse. If you get ahead in life by buttering other people up, by telling people what you

think they want to hear, what you end up is chewing on rocks. “A lying tongue hates
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those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28) “He who rebukes

a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.” (Proverbs

28:23)

2. The tongue may be used for quarreling. (Proverbs 18:6) “A fool gives full vent

to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Proverbs 29:11) How

many of us have undergone tremendous heartache because at a crucial moment we

lost our temper and spouted off when we should have been silent. A wise man keeps

himself under control. “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not

associate with one easily angered.” (Proverbs 22:24-25)

3. The tongue may be used for gossip. (Proverbs 10:18; 16:28; 17:9) That means

that you don’t have to tell everything you know. You don’t have to make everything

right. You can cover over some things so you can go on with life. Three questions to

ask yourself whenever you’re tempted to tell something to someone else about what

somebody has done:

 Is it true?

 Is is kind?

 Is it necessary?

There wouldn’t be any gossip if we used those three questions before speaking.

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4. The tongue may be used for lying. (Proverbs 6:16-19) gives us the seven things

the Lord hates. Two of them are a lying tongue and a false witness who pours out

lies. “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” (Proverbs 14:25)

“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” (Proverbs

12:19)

5. The tongue may be used to seduce to evil. Proverbs 5 talks about the lips of an

adulteress. It says her lips drip with honey. “Keeping you from the immoral woman

(or man), from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife (or husband.)” (Proverbs

6:24) “The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the Lord’s wrath will

fall into it.” (Proverbs 22:14) Your tongue, which is meant to bless God, can be used

to drag other people down into sin.

6. The tongue may be used to talk too much. “When words are many, sin is not

absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19) “He who guards his

lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”(Proverbs 13:3) “A

man of knowledge uses words with restraint.” (Proverbs 17:27) “Even a fool is

thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” (Proverbs

17:28)

That means that you don’t have to have an opinion on everything. You don’t have to

comment on everything that goes by you in life. You don’t have to answer every

question.

24
2.5 Taming the Tongue

It is interesting to consider that one of the first things that a physician does when

examining a patient is look at his or her tongue, since it is often an index to the health

to the rest of the body. In the same way, that which is produced by the tongue,

‘words’ also furnishes an index to the health of the spiritual body, the heart. In

Matthew 12:34 Jesus warned that “…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth

speaks.”

You probably know the pain of regretting words you have spoken: words of pride,

dishonesty, envy, gossip, or anger. Although you can seek to restore bruised

relationships through repentance and forgiveness, spoken words can never be

retrieved. Scripture warns, “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).

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from

calamity” (Proverb 21:23)

“No human being can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly

poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses

those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing

come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is

not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter

25
 water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and

you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring” (James 3:8-12)

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit

bad, for the tree is known by its fruit…For out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:33-34)

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings

healing” (Proverb 12:18)

“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips”

(Psalm 141:3)

According to Mosier (2015) enumerated ten ways we can tame our tongue:

1. Dedicate Your Heart, Mind, and Tongue to the Lord, Daily

Seek holistic purity. Pray that God would protect your mind from thoughts that lead

to words of destruction. Offer all the words of the day ahead to Him with praise.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a

sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” When we choose

praise, we “sacrifice” slander, gossip, fear-based words, and the language of hell.

Luke 6:45 says that, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of!”

2. Pray That God Would Give You an Awareness/Consciousness of Your Words

Someone once said, “Taste your words before you spit them out!” Acknowledge your

need for discernment and God’s grace to help you remain conscious of your words.

Be intentional. If you’re supposed to speak up, do it with boldness. If you are

26
supposed to remain silent, do it with boldness. Psalm 19:14- “Let the words of my

mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my

strength”. Take responsibility for the words that come out of your mouth.

3. Surrender up Your “Right” To Complain

You and I are not entitled to the act of complaining, especially not in front of your

friends, coworkers, and strangers. No one enjoys hearing it, and the people that seem

to don’t have your best interests in mind. If people don’t engage you or agree with

you when you complain about yourself and others, it is because you are making them

uncomfortable. Sitting in negative words is suffocating and causes death to the

environment that you’re in.

4. Ask For Forgiveness for Any Unloving Words or Attitudes

“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would

be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way” James 3:2. Spend

some time with the Lord repenting and asking for forgiveness regarding language or

words that you have spoken that is offensive. Commit to working on changing the

way you speak in order to demonstrate His love to the world.

5. Practice Speaking Words That Will Encourage, Comfort, Edify, and Inspire

Ask God to guide you to speak words that will honor Him and accomplish His

purposes. The goal is to SPEAK LIFE. This means that you try practicing Ephesians

4:29 which says, “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

27
benefit those who listen”. To encourage means to give support, confidence, or hope.

To comfort means to soothe, console, or bring freedom from pain. To edify means to

cultivate, develop, and build up. And to inspire means to motivate, excite, energize,

and to “breathe into.”

6. Rely on God’s strength to aid you.

With human efforts alone, no one can tame his tongue. “The tongue can no man

tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Only by the grace of

God in your life can you seek to control your speech. “I can do all things through

Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

7. Put your heart in tune with God’s Spirit by daily reading His Word.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for

reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be

perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

8. Meditate on Scriptures that address the power of words.

By studying Scriptures about the tongue, you will gain insights into the power of your

words. Memorizing and meditating on these verses will strengthen your resolve to

speak with grace. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against

thee” (Psalm 119:11).

28
7. Commit yourself to giving a good report and when it is necessary, to following

Biblical principles of correction.

“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people . . . . Thou shalt not

hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not

suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children

of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus

19:16–18). “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault

between thee and him alone . . .” (Matthew 18:15).

8. Fulfill past promises, and think carefully before making any new promises.

You need to fulfill the promises you have made, even when doing so requires

unforeseen sacrifice. God will bless the one who “. . . sweareth to his own hurt, and

changeth not” (Psalm 15:4). Jesus said, “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay,

nay . . . ” (Matthew 5:37).

29
 CHAPTER THREE

BIBLICAL / THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

3.0 Introduction

This chapter looked at the biblical view points on the topic in view “Understanding

the Power of the Tongue”

3.1 Biblical teaching about the power of the Tongue

Proverbs 12:18 “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue

of the wise brings healing.”

Your words can create or destroy. As Children of God, our tongues have a lot of

power. Proverbs 18:21 confirms this by saying, “Death and life are in the power of

the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” This is further seen in Matthew

18:18, which proclaims, "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth

shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in

heaven.”

This power and responsibility is discussed several times in the Bible. Here are some

bible verses which talked about using, and the repercussions of misusing this power.

1. Proverbs 13:3; “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide

his lips comes to ruin."

2. Ephesians 4:29; "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."

30
3. Proverbs 18:19; "A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a

walled city, and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace."

4. Proverbs 10:20; "The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil

person’s thoughts are worth very little."

5. Proverbs 26:20; "Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling

will stop."

6. Proverbs 11:17; “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy

yourself when you are cruel.”

7. 1 Peter 3:9; "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary,

repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a

blessing."

8. Proverbs 16:24; “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the

body.”

9. Matthew 15:18; "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and

this defiles a person."

10. Matthew 12:36; "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for

every careless word they speak."

11. Matthew 12:37; "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you

will be condemned.”

12. Colossians 3:8; "But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice,

slander, and obscene talk from your mouth."

31
13. James 1:26; "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but

deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

14. James 3:3-6; When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us,

we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so

large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder

wherever the pilot wants to go. 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."

15. James 3: 9-12; "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we

curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth

come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh

water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig

tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh

water."

16. Proverbs 29:20; "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more

hope for a fool than for him."

17. Colossians 4:6; "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that

you may know how you ought to answer each person."

32
 CHAPTER FOUR

RESEARCH FINDINGS AND PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

4.0 Introduction

According to Esene (2005) raw data generated from any research instrument are in

the form that does not provide sufficient information and meaning unless they are

presented and analysis in line with global practices. The above submission best

describes what this chapter contains in the data obtained are presented and analyzed.

The respondents were carefully selected based on their maturity, roles in the

community or in the family and in the society in general. Out of two hundred

questionnaires distributed only one hundred fifty (150) were filled and returned. All

responses in the questionnaire relating to all questions were analyzed in terms of

questions, responses and percentage for the total number of respondents.

4.1 Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of treating data with statistical tools so that a mass of data

can be summarized, simplified and interpreted. Data can be quantitive if it is in

numerical form and quanlitive if it not. For the purpose of this study, the researcher

made use of quantitive data which will also require quantitive analysis.

4.2 Data Presentation

The main instrument used in collecting the data was the questionnaire. Questionnaire

is the best instrument to gather data about the respondent’s feeling, emotions and

perception. 200 copies of structured questionnaire was distributed for about seven (7)

33
months and collected by hand. The questionnaire was structured based on the

research questions, and objectives.

The questionnaire was divided into two sections. Section A contained the personal

data of the respondents while section B contained responses to the research questions.

4.2.1 Demographic data on respondents

Table 1: Showing Analysis of respondents on Marital Status

Variable Frequency Percentage (%)

Single 55 36.7
Married 95 63.3
Total 150 100
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The above table reveals that 63.3% of the respondents used for this research are

married which represent 95 and were the most prominent. While those of the Single

which represent 36.7% were the least prominent of the population. From the analysis

it shows that the married class represents the general interest of the distribution.

Table 2: Showing Analysis of respondents on Educational Qualification

Variable Frequency Percentage (%)

Undergraduates 45 30.0
Graduates 105 70.0
Total 150 100
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The response from above table of Educational qualification indicates that 70% were

graduates and these were the majority of respondents, and undergraduates which

represent 30% of the respondents.

Section B

Table 1

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Proverbs 8: 21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they

that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Question Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

The tongue can instruct the Yes 115 76.7
No 30 20
unlearned and encourage the Not quite often 5 3.3

sorrowing, or it can destroy

reputations and spread distrust

and hate.
Total 150 100
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The above table indicated that 76.7% responded that the tongue can instruct the

unlearned and encourage the sorrowing, or it can destroy reputations and spread

distrust and hate. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. While on the contrary 20%

indicated that they disagree to this point. This is to say, that the tongue cannot instruct

the unlearned and encourage the sorrowing, or it cannot destroy reputations and

spread distrust and hate. And 3.3% are not quite sure that tongue can instruct the

unlearned and encourage the sorrowing, or it can destroy reputations and spread

distrust and hate.

Table 2

If the eyes are the window of the soul and your mouth is the door to your heart and

therefore it defines you. How can you control this wonderful organ?

Question Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

Keep your tongue a prisoner and 100 66.6

your body will go free

Think twice before you speak once 65 43.3

35
 Dedicate your heart, mind and 135 90

tongue to the Lord daily.

Pray that God would give you 109 72.7

consciousness of your words.

Practice speaking words of 95 63.3

encouragement, comfort, edification

and inspiring words.

Source: Field Survey, 2021

It is clearly seen that most of the respondents have a very clear understanding of the

power of the tongue and it can be controlled. 90% understand that God is the only

one that helps us tame our tongue. 72.7% of the respondents are of the opinion that

with prayer we can conquer our tongue. 66.6% indicated that it is advisable for us to

keep our tongue a prisoner and our body will go free. 63.3% believed that practicing

speaking words of encouragement, comfort, edification and inspiring would go a long

way to help us control our tongue.

The activity we find the most difficult to control is our speech. Words have a way of

slipping off the tongue and past our lips before we even know it. Often this occurs

with tragic results, either for us or others or both. Just consider for a moment the

wisdom of the Proverbs in this area:

Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of

friends.”

Table 3

Basic facts about the tongue

Question Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

36
Do believe these basic Your tongue is the mother of your 77 51.3

facts about the future.

Your tongue is a stirring instrument; it 95 63.3
tongue?
can be used positively or negatively.
The tongue is unstable, unruly, and 115 76.7

restless, it lacks single-mindedness, it is

full of death bearing poison.

Your tongue has healing power in it. 125 83.3
Source: Field Survey, 2021

Based on the above data, the respondents who have understanding of the power of the

tongue came up with following responses as to the main things one need to know

about the tongue. Specifically 83.3% of the respondent sees the tongue as the

instrument of healing. 76.7% indicated that the tongue is unstable, unruly, and

restless, it lacks single-mindedness, it is full of death bearing poison. No man, no

human, is capable of taming the tongue. Though, it may be impossible for man but

not with God. We’ve dismissed it all as something below contempt, even evil, utterly

unholy. While 51.3% responded that your tongue is the mother of your future.

4.3 Summary of Major Findings

The following major findings were observed in the study:

1. Only the spiritually mature can control their tongue. It is an unmistakable evidence

of God’s work of grace in their life. It is also one of the ways our maturity is

measured against the standard of our Master. 1Peter 1:21-23 reminds us, “Christ also

suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who

committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth;’ who when He was reviled,

37
did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed

Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

2. The tongue is unstable, unruly, and restless, it lacks single-mindedness. It is full of

death bearing poison. Venom more deadly than that of a cobra, a toxin more lethal

than cyanide, the tongue is a murderer assassinating a man’s character, destroying the

tender fabric that holds a marriage together. Psalm 140:3 says of evil men, “They

sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips.”

3. There is a muscle in the human body that can cause more heartache, more pain,

more mistrust, and more anger, than all the other muscles put together. It is so

powerful that it has caused betrayals, murders, wars, and riots. It is a factor in the

destruction of friendships, relationships, and families, and is a major factor in most

separations and divorces.

4. There are several things that an unbridled tongue will do. It will boast of many

things, it can kindle destructive fires, it is a world of iniquity (sinfulness), it follows

the course of nature, is full of poison, an unruly evil and sets us on the course of hell

itself. Some have called the tongue, “The little red devil behind the white pearly

gates.” Whatever you may call it, your tongue has the capacity to do great harm and

destruction. If that was not enough, it also says no man can tame this member of our

body. As crazy as it may seem, it also has the power to bring life.

5. God created in man the ability to communicate with the spoken word. He gave us

the tongue as a tool to use to speak with each other. It enables us to tell each other

38
how we feel and what we think, as well as to convey words of wisdom, hope,

encouragement, and love. He gave us the ability to worship Him in speech, to

communicate His laws and His ways.

Unfortunately, however, this gift from God is all too often used by Satan for his own

plans. The Devil hates God and His laws and ways, and he does everything possible

to destroy relationships. He starts rumors and encourages prejudices. He will do

anything and everything that he can to create differences between people and to get

people upset with one another. At every opportunity, he tries to create stumbling

blocks for God's people by fracturing their relationships with family, friends, and

brethren. This way, their minds become focused on their differences, rather than on

the ways of God.

There are so many ways that we can inflict pain on each other with our words. We

need to remember that God has given us a few principles to help us to be mindful of

each other and to refrain from hurting one another.

4.4 Discussions of the findings

A few words, or sometimes only a facial expression, can ruin another person’s

reputation and cause great unhappiness and misery in that person’s life. The

consequences of evil words can be like a rapidly spreading fire, like a fire which has

been kindled in hell. Evil speaking can affect every aspect of an individual’s life.

39
 A believer can be guilty of inconsistency and duplicity in his speech, using his

tongue to bless God, and also to curse men. Such use of the tongue can damage and

hurt those who are the victims of the words spoken and will also adversely affect the

speaker himself. On the Day of Judgment we shall have to give an account of every

idle word we have spoken (Matthew 12.36).

We are told that we must “not go up and down as a talebearer” (Leviticus 19.16), or

sow “discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6.19). The tongue can be full of "deadly

poison" (James 3.8). We can gossip and poison other people’s minds. We can

criticize others and do untold damage. How many children of believers have had their

minds poisoned by the conversations they have listened to in their parents’ home? It

is not difficult to understand how such children have, in some cases, lost all interest

in spiritual things.

It is so easy to sin by speaking unwisely or telling a lie. We should consider before

we speak, and ask ourselves if what we are about to say is true, kind, and necessary,

and why we are saying it. Many men of God have used their tongues for sinful

purposes. Abraham told Sarah to lie (Genesis 12:11-13), and Moses spoke

“unadvisedly with his lips” (Psalms 106.33). Peter denied his Lord (Matthew 26:69-

75). Having read of such godly men speaking sinfully, it behoves us to remember the

admonition, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1

Corinthians 10.12).

40
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the summary, conclusion recommendations and offered

suggestions for further studies.

5.1 Summary

A great deal of good, and a great deal of harm, can result from the ways in which we

use our tongues. The Word of God tells us that "Death and life are in the power of the

tongue" (Proverbs 18.21). A skilled orator can influence vast numbers of people,

41
sometimes to their disadvantage. On the other hand, the tongue of a believer, when

under the control of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6.19), can be used to

bring blessing and happiness to many people.

What we say, and the things we talk about most frequently and naturally, reveal what

is in our minds and what dominates our thinking, for as a man "thinketh in his heart,

so is he" (Proverbs 23:7), and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"

(Matthew 12.34). The Holy Spirit led and inspired James to write an intensely

practical epistle in which he makes several references to the potential consequences

of the ways in which we can use our tongues.

In James 3 we are given warning and guidance regarding the use of the tongue.

Believers are told that those who teach others the Word of God must teach

prayerfully, carefully, and honestly, as enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

They will come under severe condemnation if they do not do this, and if what they

say and teach is not consistent with their manner of life.

A tongue under control is evidence of spiritual maturity, and if a believer’s tongue is

controlled by the Holy Spirit then every other aspect of his life will be under the

Spirit’s control. The tongue is a comparatively small part of the human body but it

has great power. James stresses the ways in which a horse is controlled by a small bit

placed in its mouth, a large ship is controlled by a small rudder, and a small fire can
42
kindle a large, fierce, uncontrolled blaze. Men have tamed and controlled all kinds of

animals, but no man can tame the tongue. However, the tongue can be tamed and

controlled by the Holy Spirit. When a believer is living close to God, in submission

and obedience to His will as revealed in the Word of God, then the tongue will be

used for good, to speak gracious words of blessing, comfort, and edification.

There is a "time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Eccl 3.7). Knowing when to

speak and what to say, and when to remain silent, requires a God-given wisdom. That

wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, considerate, impartial, and without hypocrisy

(James 3.17).

5.2 Conclusion

“…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)

The real issue is the condition of the heart. When the heart is angry, the tongue

speaks words of anger. When the heart is happy words of happiness come out. So

then, the answer to the problem of controlling the heart is a change of the heart. This

cannot be done by oneself it must be done by God himself. Doing what is right from

the heart can only be accomplished when the heart is right. The heart becomes right

when God makes it right through a spiritual touch of his Spirit.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those

days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their
43
 hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people,”

(Hebrews 8:10)

When God touches the heart it is changed. Where there used to be anger, now there

is love.

“…because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)

When God touches the heart, the tongue becomes bridled by Gods’ Spirit. When He

comes into your life, all of His positive attributes dominate and begin to rule the

lower attributes of the flesh. Jesus spoke of His Spirit as living water that cleanses

and purifies from the inside out. This spiritual experience takes away the fleshly

heart and replaces it with a godly, spiritual heart. At the moment this takes place, the

power of the tongue is changed from destructive to constructive. It is amazing how

fast life becomes better when the tongue is bridled by His presence. The Bible

records this experience of change in Acts 2. When the disciples of Jesus received a

change of heart through the baptism of the Spirit of God, they spoke in other tongues.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other

tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)

The power that went through them is for all people who want a change of their heart

from the inside.

44
 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the

name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of

the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all

that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

No man can tame his tongue and therefore needs a power to help him bridle it. When

the tongue is bridled it becomes a tool that brings life. An unbridled tongue causes

death and destruction, yet there is a way to have freedom from a destructive tongue.

On the other hand, there is a way to have life abundantly through the power of the

tongue. Jesus Christ is that answer.

5.3 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the research, the following recommendations are made.

1. As Christians let’s come alongside Him, rather than opposing Him, when it

comes to receiving, understanding, and walking in faith.

2. We should not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin;

rather, yield ourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and our members

as instruments of righteousness to God.

3. Since we have been conjoined together in the likeness of His death, so also

shall we be in the likeness of His resurrection. Knowing this therefore, we should

daily crucify our old man with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed,

45
that we should no longer be enslaved by our tongue; because the one who has died to

sin has been justified from sin.

5.4 Suggestions for Further Studies

This research endeavour cannot in any way claim absolute treatment of the related

issues of this topic in a given opportunity like this one. As follow-ups, the under-

listed areas and topics may be researched upon:

1. The Tongue of Fire.

2. The Destructive power of the Tongue

Reference

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https://spiritmeat.net/index.php/812-understanding-the-tongue#

Bradley, M. (2018). “Death and Life Are in the Power of the Tongue”. Retrieved

from: https://www.bible-knowledge.com/power-of-tongue/

Copeland, K. (1995). “The Power of the Tongue”. Kenneth Copeland Publications

Fort Worth, Texas 76192-0001. ISBN 0-88114-732-X30-0014

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Evans, T. (2018). “The Power of the Tongue”. Retrieved from:

https://tonyevans.org/the-power-of-the-tongue/

Hamby, J. (2005). “Taming The Tongue”. Retrieved from:

https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/taming-the-tongue-john-hamby-

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Kerrod, R. (1997). MacMillan's Encyclopedia of Science. 6. Macmillan Publishing

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Maton, A; Hopkins, J; McLaughlin, C. W; Johnson, S; Warner, M. Q; LaHart, and

David; W. D. (1993). Human Biology and Health. Englewood Cliffs, New

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