A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame. And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. It starts a fire that influences all of life.
   Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat its fruit. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.
   [Jesus said:] "I tell you this: on the Judgment Day everyone will have to give account of every useless word he has ever spoken. For your words will be used to judge you, either to declare you innocent or to declare you guilty."
   You, then - why do you pass judgment on your brother? And you - why do you despise your brother? All of us will stand before God, to be judged by Him. For the Scripture says, "As I live," says the Lord, "everyone will kneel before Me, and everyone will confess that I am God." Everyone of us, then, will have to give an account of himself to God. So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, this is what you should decide: not to do anything that would make your brother stumble, or fall into sin.
    Dear brothers, don't ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry . . . Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much.
   Children, come and listen to me. I will teach you to worship the Lord. You must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days. You must not say evil things. You must not tell lies. Stop doing evil and do good. Look for peace and work for it.
   Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree! My tongue shall speak of Your Word, for all Your commandments are righteousness. I will tell of Your goodness. I will praise You every day.

Taken from Jas. 3, Pr. 18, 10, Ec. 10, Mt. 12, Rom. 14, Jas. 1, Ps. 34, 120, 119, 35,
Everyday Bible, New King James, Today's English Version and Living Bible.
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