What Does the Bible Say About Our Tongue Being Mightier Than A Sword?

James 1:26 ESV / 54 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 52 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 46 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;

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 45 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 44 helpful votes

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

James 3:6 ESV / 40 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.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 37 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.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 34 helpful votes

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

James 3:5-8 ESV / 29 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! 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. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 25 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 23 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Psalm 64:3 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,

James 3:1-18 ESV / 18 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! ...

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 18 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.”

James 3:5 ESV / 17 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!

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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

James 1:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Isaiah 3:16-24 ESV / 12 helpful votes

The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; ...

Revelation 19:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 11 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 10 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.”

James 3:6-8 ESV / 9 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. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Isaiah 55:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Revelation 1:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Revelation 2:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

James 3:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

James 3:2 ESV / 7 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.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 7 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.

Jeremiah 23:29 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

James 3:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Leviticus 19:28 ESV / 6 helpful votes

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Romans 3:13-14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ...

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Revelation 14:9-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Acts 2:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

John 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Philippians 2:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 3 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. ...

Romans 3:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

John 8:44 ESV / 3 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.

Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ...

Revelation 19:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ...

1 Peter 1:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

Hebrews 5:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; ...

Hebrews 4:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Romans 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 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.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

62 Bible Verses about Our Tongue Being Mightier Than A Sword

James 1:26 ESV / 54 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 52 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 46 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 45 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 44 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:6 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 34 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:5-8 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 25 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 64:3 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:1-18 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 3:16-24 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 19:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:6-8 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:45 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 23:29 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:28 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:13-14 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:9-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 19:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 5:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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