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69 Bible Verses about Control Your Tongue

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 75 helpful votes

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

James 1:26 ESV / 73 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 59 helpful votes

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

James 3:1-12 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

James 1:19 ESV / 47 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James 3:8 ESV / 34 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:2 ESV / 33 helpful votes

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.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 32 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

James 3:10 ESV / 29 helpful votes

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 29 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 26 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

James 1:22 ESV / 24 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 24 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

James 3:6 ESV / 23 helpful votes

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 3:5 ESV / 23 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Matthew 12:33-37 ESV / 23 helpful votes

“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. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 15:18 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

James 3:9 ESV / 18 helpful votes

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 15 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Psalm 64:1-10 ESV / 15 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” ...

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

John 1:1-3 ESV / 14 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

1 John 2:1-2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

John 8:44 ESV / 13 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

Ephesians 4:29-30 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Proverbs 16:27 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Exodus 15:26 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 10 helpful votes

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 17:14 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

James 3:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Ephesians 5:3-5 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 9 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Matthew 22:39 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 9 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 3:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”

Acts 2:38 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:27-28 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Proverbs 29:4 ESV / 8 helpful votes

By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

Psalm 119:172 ESV / 8 helpful votes

My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Colossians 3:5-6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 17:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

Psalm 34:12-13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Exodus 18:21 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

James 3:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

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