Weight (Dictionary): Something heavy, load a heavy object to hold or press something down or to counterbalance, pressure the weight of their responsibilities.
Weight (Bible): A talent of silver or gold, (properly: bulk, mass, hence) a weight, burden, encumbrance, reasoning, thinking.
What is “tongue weight”? It is the downward force that is exerted on the hitch ball for a trailer being towed. If the tongue weight is exceeded, it could cause an accident or damage the vehicle. So, an overloaded tongue must be carefully considered! The same can be said for what we verbally express. What we say does carry a spiritual weight! The Apostle Paul applied this usage in his letter to the Corinthian church. What rolls off our tongue can have good or negative results!
2 Corinthians 10:10: For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible. (NASB)
The Lord Jesus has issued a warning about careless words- such as those said in anger or frustration:
Matthew 12:36: ”But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.” (NASB)
God cares what we say! At creation the Lord gave human beings the gift of speech. And there will be an accounting for words which are carelessly spoken through this gift! And if anyone doubts the power of a single word remember the name of Jesus or the words spoken by God as He built the universe. Finally, we need to remember that all of Jesus words were weighty!
Philippians 2:10: ”So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (NASB)
The Bible has lots to say about our tongue and what we say:
Jeremiah 9:8: “Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.” (NASB)
James 3:4-6: ”4 Look at 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.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small 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.” (NASB)
Luke 6:45: ”45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (NASB)
Proverbs 6:16-19: 16 There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
Philippians 2:14-16: ”Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” (NASB)
Psalm 141:1-3: ” Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” (NASB)
If we have issues with what we are saying or how we say it, we need to go to the Lord and seek His heart. We need to study what the Bible says and pray for a heart of gentleness and kindness.
O Lord guard my mouth,
To speak only words
Which bring truth and peace
And eternal reward.
