A Note from the Poet

Dear Reader,

In these troubled days when words wound more swiftly than swords, and “It’s only talk” has become the easy excuse of many, I felt compelled to sound a solemn alarm. May this poem stir every heart — especially those who name the name of Christ — to weigh our words before the Lord. Life and death truly hang in the balance of the tongue.

Let this not be mistaken: contending earnestly for the faith and calling sin sin is not the same as careless cruelty, false accusation, or slander. We are called to speak truth in love, with reverence and accountability, never with malice.

With prayer and trembling,

The Poet

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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.

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.

James 3:8-10

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

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 21:23

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

In every word we breathe, a solemn weight is laid,

For heaven marks each syllable our mortal tongues have made.

The tongue, a spark that kindles flame or bids the storm to cease,

Holds life and death within its sway, as Scripture doth release.

O pause, frail heart, before the rush of hasty speech takes flight!

Let wisdom’s bridle check the lip ere anger claims the night.

For idle words and cruel darts shall echo through the years,

When every careless murmur meets the Judge who knows our fears.

Yet in this shadowed age we dwell, where brethren turn to foes,

False tongues accuse the righteous ones with slander’s venomous blows.

“‘Tis only talk,” they lightly say, and shrug with careless grin,

While hearts are slain and names are slain by words that rot within.

They treat the warning with a jest, dismiss the solemn call,

As though the tongue could wound unchecked and Heaven’s gaze appall.

Among the called who bear His name, the poison spreads unchecked,

Where envy masks as zeal, and love lies cold and derelict.

Lord, have mercy on us all who stumble in this fray!

Bring every Christian to their knees, in dust and tears to pray.

Forgive the wounds our words have wrought, the breaches we have torn,

And turn our hearts from bitterness to grace anew reborn.

The more we walk as Christ hath walked, in meekness, truth, and light,

The fiercer grow the arrows shot from shadows in the night.

For darkness hates the shining soul that mirrors Heaven’s Son,

And tests the pure with cruel barbs till victory is won.

Then guard thy tongue, O pilgrim soul, with holy fear and fire,

Let every word be forged in prayer, a weapon of desire.

No poison pass these lips again, no arrow winged in wrath—

But life eternal flow instead, upon the narrow path.

Stand fast, O saint, though slander rage and hatred’s tempest roar,

The King who sees thy silent tears shall vindicate thee more.

For every idle word we speak, though whispered, shouted, hurled,

Shall meet us on that Judgment Day—we give account to God Himself.

Let every word that leaves our lips before the Judge be weighed,

All men shall give account thereof on that great Day of wrath—

Though arrows fly and darkness rails against the Christ-like soul,

Yet guard thy tongue, O pilgrim, till the final trumpet roll.

For every word that we have breathed, both cruel and kind alike,

We all shall answer on that Day before the throne of light.

No idle breath escapes His gaze, though light or fiercely thrown—

We all shall give account thereof before the Judgment Throne.

Lord, have mercy. Purify us now. Amen.