Before I start this, please realize that all sin is sin. Every sin has the same result; that we are separated from the power of the Holy Spirit in our life until we acknowledge, or “set aside” that sin (1 John 1:9, Psalms 32:5). Also remember that Jesus Christ died on the cross for ALL sins. But if you had to make a list of the worst sins, what would be on your list? Murder, rape, adultery, lust, gluttony, the seven deadly sins? Well God has His own list. What are the worst sins, according to God?

Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things which the LORD hates,

Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that run rapidly to evil,

19 A false witness who utters lies,

And one who spreads strife among brothers.

We always tend to think of the overt sins as the worst, but notice there is only one real overt sin on the list, murder! Three relate simply to the way we think, and the other three are all related to the things we say.

I believe these are the worst sins on God’s list because they have the greatest potential to destroy both our own spiritual life AND the spiritual life of other believers! This is especially true of what we say. The Word of God is crystal clear about the damage that can result from our words.

Proverbs 13:3

3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

This is one of the best analogies in the Word of God:

James 3:2-10

2 For we all stumble in many {ways.} If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect (not perfect, but mature) man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things.

Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

So you see, just like a tiny rudder directs a ship, and a bit directs a horse, so your tongue can direct the way your life goes, and set the entire forest on fire!

6 And the tongue is a fire, the {very} world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of {our} life, and is set on fire by hell.

You have to be able to control what you say! This tiny thing can defile your entire spiritual life, and determine the course of your life.

7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race.

8 But no one can tame the tongue; {it is} a restless evil {and} full of deadly poison.

Maybe it’s just me, but have you ever said, “why did I say that?!”

What you say can have a profound affect both on your spiritual life, and the spiritual life of those around you.

Proverbs 21:23

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.

1 Pet 3:10

10 For, "Let him who means to love life and see good days refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

How is it that you control your tongue? It’s so easy to just say what comes to mind, without considering the effect it will have on both your own and other’s spiritual life. First, it’s important to realize the consequences what you say can have, and consider them before speaking. But ultimately, Jesus gives us the answer:

Matt 12:34-35

34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

35 "The good man out of {his} good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of {his} evil treasure brings forth what is evil.

It’s all about what you fill your heart with. When we fill our soul with the treasure of the Word of God, then the natural result will be the control of our tongue!

Psalms 141:3

3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips.