Sunday on the Power of the Tongue

Pastor Jan-Aage Torp gave Oslochurch a teaching yesterday on the power of the tongue. 

«The tongue is a “small part of the body” (James 3:5), yet Proverbs 18:21 says it “has the power of life and death.” This holds true whether we’re speaking of spiritual, physical or emotional “life and death”, said Jan-Aage Torp.

Jan-Aage & Aina Torp ministered together, through the Word and Worship

-Let us keep in mind that the word tongue is often a reference to the spoken word, in which one word stands in for another, closely related word. For instance: “The Palace issued a statement”. Of course, the Palace, as a building, cannot issue statements; however, in this instance, Palace refers to our King Harald, who lives there. In the same way, when Proverbs 15:4 states, “A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit,” tongue is figurative. Obviously, a literal, fleshly tongue cannot crush the human spirit, but the words the tongue produces can, underscored the Oslochurch Pastor.

He then continued: -What our tongue produces has eternal implications. It has spiritual consequences, for it reveals what is in our heart. Jesus said that “the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matthew 12:35). “Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36). In and of ourselves, we are utterly unable to “tame the tongue” because “it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). A tongue under control is a mark of the Spirit’s power. Apart from accepting Jesus’ atonement on the cross, we will be judged according to our words: “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

In order to take Proverbs 18:21 literally – that the tongue can cause physical life and death – we do not need to stretch our imagination. Words create actions, good and bad. A judge or jury, by simply saying a word, can cause a person to be imprisoned or set free. Words often save lives: a doctor advises surgery, a weatherman issues a storm warning, a counselor gives hope to a suicidal person. Words can also kill: murders are often initiated because of arguments or verbalized hatred. In the sense of causing action, then, the tongue does indeed have the power of life and death, maintained Jan-Aage Torp.

-Also, emotions can be injured or healed by words. James describes the tongue as “a fire” (James 3:6) – and who has not been burned by it? Proverbs 15:4 describes a “healing” tongue as “a tree of life.” As much as love is an action, what would romance be without words? Encouragement often comes through spoken words. So does discouragement. “Reckless words pierce like a sword” (Proverbs 12:18). The wound is emotional, and it is deep. What we say can have a profound effect on others.

Jan-Aage Torp then concluded: -God made us expressive beings, so we are nearly lost without communication. That is why we have audio recordings and Braille for the blind, sign language for the deaf, and writing for anyone who has something to say. Indeed, speech has enormous implications, especially as a vehicle for sharing the gospel (Romans 10:14). Therefore, we are commanded to control the tongue, to “keep the tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies” (Psalm 34:13). A Christian’s speech should consistently honor the Lord: with the tongue “we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).