The Tongue Is a Fire

Toni M. Babcock

“Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.” 

(Exodus 20:16 CSB).

When contemplating God’s ninth commandment given by Moses to the people of Israel, we usually imagine it as telling lies about someone in a court of law, or simply telling lies behind their back in order to ruin their reputation. 

But giving false testimony can sometimes be used as a deceitful tool to maliciously slander someone to their face, which is what we see happening a lot these days. 

How often have you heard or witnessed someone on a self-righteous rant pointing a boney finger of condemnation toward whoever they feel deserves it? 

On a video recently, I watched a young black woman on the verge of tears relay how student activists at her school labeled her a “white supremacist” for her support for the State of Israel!

You know, God cares about the words we use against one another – and we’ll give an account to God for what we say. 

The Apostle James wrote that the tongue can be like an out-of-control fire! “And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6 CSB).

 
Jesus encountered this. Some self-righteous Pharisees accused Him of driving out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Jesus warned them “…I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 CSB).

If you’ve been falsely accused of being something horrible, you’re not – know that whoever tries to damage you in this way will answer to God in the Day of Judgment. 

Remember, some folks accused Jesus of having a devil! 

Put your trust and confidence in the Lord, and don’t allow ugly empty words destroy who you are.

Toni is the author of Reflections from the Heart in Light of the Gospel of Jesus. Contact