There is one thing about the tongue: it has the power to destroy or create the life you want.
Different Standards for Different Roles
In its power, it comes with different capacities. The tongue of a teacher does not utter the same words as those of a learner—at least not from a Christian perspective. By that I refer to all those who identify as teachers of Christ, from pastors, apostles, prophets, elders, reverends, priests, and many more. These have a standard to uphold. Why? They are ministers of the Most High.
Remember when God spoke through Moses in Leviticus 10:3 (NASB1995):
“Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘It is what the Lord spoke, saying, “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.”’ So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.”
The Call to Be Holy
And it is also written by Peter:
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13-16, NASB1995)
If the God who called you to Himself is holy, how much more does He expect from you if you are to inherit His salvation?
Keep the Tongue Sanctified
For this reason, you as a teacher of Christ ought to keep your tongue sanctified and away from profane and meaningless talk. For from such arises contentions, lusts, pompous talk, and related issues. These are very far from the will of God.
If even He warned His priests against misuse of their tongue in the olden days, how much more closely does He take note of this issue in this era of grace teachings?
The Warning to Those Who Profane His Name
This is what He said to you teachers who profane His name by misuse of your tongue in Malachi 2:3-9 (NASB1995):
“Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says the Lord of hosts. “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of hosts. “So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction.”
He not only promises to shame the priests (teachers) but also their children!
Every Christian Is Called to Teach
You may not be a teacher, but you are a follower of Christ. Now we all know that Christ called us into Himself not only to be His followers but also agents of His faith to those around us. Which means that each one of us, as long as you are a Christian, qualifies in some sense to be a teacher.
You need to tame your tongue because He who called you is holy. And as He is holy, so does He expect the same from you.
Examine Yourself First
This is not to threaten you that if you ever misuse your tongue God will definitely punish you. No. However, if you continually fail to adhere to the ways of the Lord even after confessing Him as your Lord and Savior, then there is something wrong.
So if you truly are a teacher of Christ and a Christian, before trying to pinpoint others for their sinful ways, first look in the mirror and listen to what comes out of your tongue when someone annoys you, or when you don’t get what you want. How do you normally reply in tense moments, and which kind of words do you say to those who hate you?
Love, Life, and Peace
Your God is holy, so be holy as He is. For it is by love that you were saved, and in the same manner so should you love those who hate you or try to cheat and steal from you. For he who tames his tongue attains life, because death and life are under its power.
So to avoid all the downsides that may arise from the misuse of your tongue, it is much easier to tame it and live a happier and more peaceful life—the peace God gave as a covenant to Levi when he was still His priest. The peace that surpasses all human understanding. This comes from those who are not only well tamed in the tongue but also in their thinking. For before your tongue speaks, the mind incubates the words. So if you want to tame the tongue, work on your mind first.
