The Psalmist says; ‘I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence’ (Ps 39:1).
It is important to keep a muzzle on our mouths so as to keep our tongues away from sin. James reminds us of its importance. ‘Anyone who makes no mistake in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies’ (Jam 3:2).
To put it briefly, controlling the tongue is the first, and most certainly the foremost, step towards controlling the whole body. Tongue is something that should be used only when need arises. And once the mission is over it should return to silence. Our Lord has warned us of the dangers of speaking too much. ‘Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one’ (Mt 5:37).
Often we are tempted to say something more, and that ‘something’ would be the cause of regret later. We need wisdom to know when to speak and when to stop speaking. Jesus warns; ‘If you say, ‘You fool’ (to a brother or sister), you will be liable to the hell of fire’ (Mt 5:22). The warning is clear; keep our tongues under lock and key; use it only when absolutely needed.
God has promised high rewards for those who keep their tongues under control. ‘If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth’ (Jer.15:19). St Anthony of Padua used his tongue to utter precious things only; to preach the gospel! And as reward, God willed his tongue to remain incorrupt and intact even centuries after death. We celebrate the feast of this saint on 13 June.
It is futile to praise the Lord with the same tongue that has till then been cursing others. James writes; ‘With it (the tongue) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so’ (Jam 3:9-10). Surely what comes out of our mouth is what defiles us (Mt 15:11) and if we allow ourselves to be defiled with our tongue, then we forfeit the right to praise the Lord with the same tongue.
Let us ask the grace to control our tongue and pray with the Psalmist; ‘Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips’ (Ps 141:3)
