But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. (Colossians 3:8-10)

A Speech Problem

One of sin’s most prolific agents is the tongue’s misuse. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it causes more trouble than anything else. When the Holy Spirit made lists of sins, it was clear the sins of the tongue dominated the top of the list. Paul exhorts the Christians at Colosse to set their minds on things above whose lives are hidden in Christ Jesus. Troubling lips and praying knees do not go together. The letter is addressed to saints who must learn to put those things that defile the mind and body to death. This is not a letter designed for the unbeliever. Paul emphasizes that people of God should not allow these sins to be part of their lives.

As the elect of God, Christians should rise above the practice of the world where the uncontrolled tongue is common. The new man of Christ is renewed in the knowledge of God to season their speech with the grace of God. This means getting rid of certain habits and putting off patterns of speech that do not describe the heart of godliness. Among these are the sins of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. These are not attributes of the child of God. It is easy to fall prey to the uncontrolled tongue that lets loose with angry words and rage. God is not glorified when the loose tongue spews anger in an uncontrolled volume.

A recent term that has become common is “road rage.” This is where people in traffic situations become entangled somehow, and one or more people become enraged against another. There are multiple times when road rage has turned deadly when men kill other men over some slight or aggressive act while driving. This comes from people who fail to control their spirits and often ends with deadly consequences. And to what end? Someone dies over a traffic incident? Anger is one letter short of danger; when anger is uncontrolled, sin is the consequence, and the consequences can be eternal.

It is easy to look at sin as something large and something small. Murder and adultery may be considered big sins, while people view anger as a small, insignificant part of personality makeup. That is not the way God views anger. Paul does not suggest (as an option) that anger and rage should be removed from the heart of the Christian; those who embrace Jesus Christ are expected to follow these commands. There is no place for anger and rage in the heart of a Christian. It may take time to cleanse the heart of such things, but with the love of God, it can be done.

Malice is malicious behavior or conduct that is evil and cruel. Getting back at someone over an insult can be malicious behavior. Slandering someone’s good name or character is a sin of the tongue that will not go unpunished. One sin of the tongue that many do not seem to be concerned about is filthy language or shameful speaking. Telling dirty jokes, cursing, and allowing the same to be a part of one’s life is sinful. Sins of the tongue are dangerous things that, if left unchecked, can destroy a soul.

Lying is one of the most common sins. Convenient, compromising, blatant, and purposeful lying are all lies, regardless of their color. God hates lying. The Christian must be a person who tells the truth. Telling a lie comes from a heart that is filled with deceit. One of the things John wrote about those who will have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone, are those who lie. God hears all the words a man speaks and never misses a lie. Tell a lie, and a man will die. God is not mocked.

When a man has a speech problem, he finds a way to correct his speech. Filling the heart with the word of God and His grace will temper the spirit of sinning with the tongue. An unruly tongue comes from an unruly heart. A godly heart will speak words of godliness and truth. If you have a speech problem, change your heart. Seek help to mold your heart with the purity of the love of God. When you speak the truth, people will notice.