“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.” – James 3:5 (New Living Translation)

The tongue makes good and bad grand speeches.

GOOD GRAND SPEECHES

a. Exodus 15:21 (15:1-18)

In Exodus chapter 15 we find the song of Moses and Miriam. Israel went through the Red Sea. They are saved. In Exodus 15:21 we are told, “Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.'”

The Lord is using the tongue of Miriam to inspire the whole of Israel to praise the Lord.

b. Joshua 24:15

Let us pray that our tongue is like the tongue of Joshua. He as the commander of the people confessed openly, “‘But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.'”

BAD GRAND SPEECHES

a. Numbers 13:32

The task of the men was to explore the land the Lord had promised them. But when they returned “they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.” That had the result that the whole congregation was disgruntled.

b. Second Samuel 15:1-2

Absalom stood at the city gate and conspired against David. He used his tongue in conspiracy.

Let us also remember that David is a type and forefather of the Lord Jesus Christ. That means in the New Testament rebelling against the King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, …”, says Proverbs 18:21