The heart in the tongue.
The subject of the Pharisees' blasphemy is continued in these verses. From them we learn—
I. THAT THE LICENCE OF THE TONGUE IS A PREGNANT EVIL.
1. It is fruitful in robbery.
2. It is prolific in murder.
3. It is emphatically diabolical.
II. THAT THE CONQUEST OF THE TONGUE IS A WORTHY AMBITION.
1. Words are the vehicles of thought.
2. By words thought stirs worlds.
3. What an engine for good or evil is here!
(a) Wicked words will pass in review. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. The word against the Son of man.
(b) Idle words—words wanting in seriousness and caution; discourse that does not tend to the glory of God; the desecration of the solemn language of Scripture in garnishing idle talk (cf. Proverbs 10:9; Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 5:4; 1 Timothy 5:13).
(c) Of these we shall have to give an account. Picture the Pharisee explaining his blasphemy in the very presence of the Blessed One whom he had attempted to identify with the devil!
III. THAT THE TONGUE IS CONQUERED IN THE HEART.
1. Speech is the natural vent of the heart.
2. Language is the sure index to character.
3. Therefore the tongue must be cured in the heart.