Langata Rd, Opposite Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, Kenya.
Long before the advent of modern medicine, healthcare providers relied primarily on their senses to evaluate patients. Diagnoses were often made by simply looking at and listening to the patient. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), observation of the tongue, in particular, was—and still is—an especially useful diagnostic tool. So, what can your tongue tell you about your health?
Here are some things that a doctor can figure out by checking out your tongue:
Your hydration levels
Your vitamin and mineral levels
The presence of infection
The presence of inflammation
The presence of underlying health conditions
Simply put, the information from a visual exam of the tongue can help your doctor determine which body systems are dysfunctional or out of balance and help to guide treatment.
In the same manner, by examining people’s tongues/words/speech it can help one to determine their heart’s health or spiritual health.
Matthew 12:35 – A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
We will look at the problem of corrupt speech/communication and how we can correct it in order for our speech to edify us and others and therefore bring glory to God.
Matthew 12:33-34b – Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
The fruit tells you what the tree is like. In the same manner, a person's character is known by their fruits (speech/words):
Not by education
Not by wealth
Not by how long or short they have been born again
Not even by how they sing or even preach
According to Jesus, the surest way to know somebody’s character is by their speech. In our reference passage today, Jesus is cautioning the Pharisees to watch their words. In verse 34, He refers to them as a brood of vipers—snakes that spit venom, harmful and even deadly.
Proverbs 12:18 – The words of the reckless (a careless person) pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 15:2 – The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
Proverbs 26:28 – A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 12:13 – The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.
Proverbs 15:18 – A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 10:32 – A good person's words will benefit many people, but you can kill yourself with stupidity.
How is your speech outside of Sunday? At home, in your office, at your business place, or wherever you are—even in the streets?
You can attempt to cut the bad fruits, but this will not help, for other bad fruits will come. So, you have to deal with the source.
The heart is the seat of our thoughts, emotions and also the source of our words.
Proverbs 23:7 – As a man thinks in his heart so is he.
The Bible teaches that there is a strong connection between the heart and the tongue, stating that our words reflect what's inside us.
Matthew 12:34-35 – For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. A good person produces good things from the good stored up in their heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the evil stored up in their heart.
Matthew 15:18 – But the things that come out of a person come from the heart, and these defile them.
The problem is not the mouth but the heart. The mouth is simply a faithful servant to the heart and communicates the content of the heart.
Psalms 1:1-2 – Blessed is the man… his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
Read your Bible with a readiness to surrender everything. Resolve you will totally obey the scriptures.
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…
Psalms 119:11 – Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Meditation is more than memorization. It implies sustained attention and deep reflection until truth transforms you—like chewing cud.
Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
The word of God has the power to transform the heart. It discerns the intents of man. (Hebrews 4:12)
Read the Bible regularly, not just for information, but with the intention to obey and practice.
God wants fellowship. When Adam sinned, God asked, “Adam, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
Mark 1:35 – Now in the morning… He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Jesus prayed to have fellowship with the Father.
John 4:34 – My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me…
Spend time with God and His nature will rub off on you.
Some Benefits of Prayer:
Develop a relationship with God – (James 4:8)
Align to God’s will – (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Keep from temptation – (Matthew 26:41)
Keep from sin – (Matthew 26:41)
Mark 4:24a – Take heed what you hear…
In the age of mass media and social media, we are bombarded with information. But you become what you continually hear.
Philippians 4:8 – Whatever is true… noble… just… pure… lovely… of good report… meditate on these things.
Feed on the right menu!
Galatians 5:16 – Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Surrender daily to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
Galatians 5:23-24 – The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Our speech will reflect these virtues.
Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious words are a honeycomb…
Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold…
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…
The tongue has caused much havoc and continues to do so in the world. Every day friendships, marriages, families, fellowships and even churches are being poisoned and broken as a result of wrong or poisonous communication.
Some people have lost jobs and even businesses as a result of wrong usage of the tongue. Others are in prison as a result of the same.
We’ve learnt from the Bible that the cure for wrong speech is:
Reading and meditating on the Word of God
Praying always
Being careful what you listen to and watch
Walking in the Spirit
This will not happen just because you desire it to happen. You need the power of God to help you to achieve this.