Tongue
Summary
The tongue in Scripture represents both the physical organ of speech and the power of language, with extensive moral teaching about its proper use and dangers.
☩Moral Teaching
Scripture extensively addresses the moral use of the tongue. James describes it as a small member that boasts great things, capable of setting on fire the whole course of nature. It is called an unruly evil, full of deadly poison, which no man can tame. The tongue has power of life and death; those who love it will eat its fruit. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
☩Gift of Tongues
At Pentecost, the disciples spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance, enabling people from many nations to hear in their own languages. Speaking in tongues was one of the spiritual gifts, though Paul taught that prophecy was more edifying to the church unless tongues were interpreted. He set guidelines for orderly use of tongues in worship.
