What a mess!

Diet Coke plus Mentos equals a cool explosion.

Information plus a loose tongue equals a sinful mess.

I've been thinking and studying for awhile now on my tongue and how I use it.  Just because I have the ability and freedom to use my tongue, doesn't mean that I need to just spout...about anything and everything!  This picture is a great example of what many of us do...we spout!  What is inside of us often bubbles out with great force.  We take the high road by covering the information with "It is just so sad that..." or "I just knew..." or "That shouldn't be allowed..." or fill in the blank.  We have swallowed the world's idea that "I have the right to speak my mind." or "I have the right to say whatever I want to say."  The Bible tells me that I do not have that right!  Our opinion doesn't matter.  There are many verses that address every type of circumstance I find myself in where I think I am justified to "have my say." 
Once those words explode out of my mouth...there is no putting them back!  The sticky mess covers a broad area and continues to attract dirt...because, face it, you don't always get it cleaned up on the first pass...and by then it is too late.  More dirt adheres to the soaked in sticky mess and sometimes, bugs and animals are attracted adding more problems! 
Sadder still...some of us don't care because the explosion satisfied the feelings that "someone else is worse off than I".
"Much can be said of a person's character by the way they use their tongue. Someone once said, "Speech is the index of the mind." Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Mat. 12:34 According to Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." In James 3:6, the Bible says that the tongue is "a fire, a world of iniquity", and James 3:8 calls the tongue a "deadly poison."
If only we could fully realize the untold damage that we are doing to the body of Christ! If only we could see the full effect of the words we use!
God made man, and God made man's tongue, so surely God should be qualified to comment on the subject. Surely God should have some good counsel concerning the use and misuse of the human tongue."

The Lying Tongue-It can be used to harm others near at hand (a maul), a few feet away (a sword), or a great distance away (an arrow). 
Prov. 25:18
John 8:44
Prov. 6:17
Rev. 21:8

The Flattering Tongue-a characteristic of the wicked
Psalm 5:9

The Proud Tongue-usually comes with two closed ears.
Psalm 12:3-4

The Overused Tongue-God doesn't like a blabber mouth.
Eccl. 5:2-3
Prov. 17:27
Prov. 21:23
Prov. 10:19

The Swift Tongue-Why do you suppose God gave us two ears but only one mouth?
Prov. 18:13
James 1:19
Prov. 29:20

The Backbiting Tongue-using your tongue against someone when they aren't present, yet not facing them with your charges when they are present. 
Proverbs 25:23
Romans 1:30
Prov. 6:19  Beware of the backbiters, especially the ones who sow discord among brethren.

The Talebearing Tongue-Every Christian has the duty to deny his own desires and seek to edify other Christians.  Talebearing runs wholly contrary to Christian edification. Talebearing (carrying and telling tales) spreads all sorts of hurtful information around, and Satan uses such information to hinder and tear down God's work.
Proverbs 18:8
Leviticus 19:16
Rom. 14:19
Phil. 2:3

The Cursing Tongue-why do professing Christians curse like the unsaved? 
Romans 3:13-14
Psalm 109:17-18  Don't expect God's blessings when your mouth is filled with cursing.

The Piercing Tongue- "Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them."
Proverbs 12:18
Col. 4:6
Titus 2:8
Teddy Roosevelt said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick," but the truth is that if you speak softly you won't need a big stick!

The Silent Tongue-we have been commanded to speak up and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8
Mark 8:38
James 3:2
Take into account what you say and what you do...if they don't match...you should just keep silent!

So many times, we like to categorize really bad things people do and never stop to think about our own daily inconsistencies! 
Yes...some things are more public, wide-reaching, and scar producing...but God forgives and restores those that confess and forsake.
As I read and continue to study, I find so many more verses addressing the tongue and the words I speak, that I am thinking many of us are going to have a hard time when we stand before the Lord to give OUR OWN account. 
When we don't follow God's Word...in any area...God calls it sin.  Were it not for grace...where would I be?  We are not untouchable from the attacks of Satan. 
We all make choices...and it is only by God's grace that I choose to follow His Word...today!
James 1:26