Careful what we say

Words have weight, words have meaning, words communicate ideas, thoughts, and intentions.
Once spoken, words can not be taken back. Words betray your heart. You are what you say.

Matthew 12:34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

 Matthew 5:37

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

If you don't have something good to say, then don't say anything at all, or how about we don't say anything at all...
It seems that more we talk, the greater chance we have of saying something we shouldn't.

James 3:5-6

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Our tongue, for such a little member, will boast such great things, things we have no right to boast, serving our pride, hypocrisy and vanity. Think of how a little spark can ignite a whole forest.

We know that we do nothing of ourselves, it is all by and through God, for the glory of God.

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

How should we control our tongue, and speech, what are the rewards of control, and what is the consequence of a "loose" tongue?

1 Peter 3:10

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs 15:1-2,4

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Proverbs 15:28

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 13:3

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Matthew 12:36-37

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Through the control of our tongue, and speech we are able to show the world whose we are, and who we serve.
We serve God, promote peace and love, minister to the world, show grace, and have fellowship with our fellow man. 

Without control we fail. We fail God.

James 1:26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

If we allow God to speak through us, using his Holy Spirit to communicate, we can not fail.

Matthew 10:20

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 

 Luke 12:12

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

We should speak with charity, and love.

1 Corinthians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

This verse has always stuck with me.

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

I think of it like this, if my actions or words offend someone that I should be witnessing to, someone I should be setting an example for, someone I should be leading to Christ, that verse points out how difficult I am making it to win them for Christ. I have gotten in the way of God.

I certainly do not want to do that!

Through prayer and supplication to God, studying His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to control my thoughts, actions, and words. I hope to bridle my tongue.