The Encounter Podcast with David Diga Hernandez
Episode: 5 Sins of the Tongue
Date: February 23, 2026

Overview

In this impactful episode, David Diga Hernandez examines a frequently overlooked aspect of Christian living: “the sins of the tongue.” While many focus on what are considered big sins—like stealing or betrayal—David brings attention to the destructive power of words. Drawing from scripture and practical examples, he explores five specific types of sinful speech, their consequences, and the necessity of aligning our spoken words with the spirit and character of Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power and Responsibility of Speech

• Words carry both creative and destructive power. (01:20)
  • “The words that you speak can sow doubt in the heart of a person who otherwise would have had faith. The words that you speak can bring discouragement in the mind of someone who otherwise would have been encouraged. The words that you speak can bring division where God wants to bring unity.”
• Balance is essential. (04:10)
  • David cautions against two extremes: Some Christians ignore the importance of words, while others become superstitious, believing that simply mentioning a negative thing will bring it into existence. He highlights the need for maturity, discernment, and self-control.
• Our words ‘program’ our minds and influence others. (06:25)
  • Just as software runs a computer, the words we consistently speak affect our mindset, attitudes, and—by extension—our health and actions.

Biblical Foundation

• Proverbs 18:21 (02:30)
  • “The tongue can bring death or life. Those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
• James 1 & 3 (08:20)
  • “If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself and your religion is worthless… Among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire… blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right.”

The Five Sins of the Tongue

1. Complaint (16:20)

• Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:12-15
• Complaint dims the light of God within us.
• “Because the season you’re complaining about today is possibly something you prayed for yesterday. Complaint is the opposite of praise.” (18:35)
• Unchecked complaint reveals a lack of gratitude, which in turn exposes a heart distracted from Jesus.
• Quote:
  • “Complaint reveals lack of gratitude. Lack of gratitude reveals a heart not focused on Jesus.” (20:05)
• Practical Insight:
  • Being thankful recalibrates perspective, regardless of circumstances.
  • Highlight from Phil Muncie: “Thankfulness is like losing everything you have in life and then getting it all back in an instant. Not necessarily changing your circumstance, but changing your perspective on everything you’ve been given.” (22:20)

2. Lying (24:50)

• Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:8-10
• Lying is more than stating falsehoods; it includes exaggeration, understatement, breaking promises without cause, and omitting key information.
• “If I say I’ll be there in 10 minutes and I haven’t even started getting ready yet, I’m lying.” (26:20)
• Motivations for lying:
  • Avoiding conflict, accountability, responsibility, or work
  • Wanting to appear better or to minimize problems
• Quote:
  • “Lying is leaving out information to manipulate the situation… I left out enough information to cause you to think differently about it than it actually was.” (27:30)

3. Gossip (28:35)

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 20:19
• Gossip is sharing confidential information that was entrusted to you.
• Differentiation: Gossip is about spreading secrets; slander (next point) is about harming reputation.
• The “vault” analogy: Information shared in trust should be treated as if locked away and not even shared with a spouse or close friends, unless it concerns them directly.
• Quote:
  • “A gossip goes around telling secrets. So don’t hang around with chatterers.” (29:05)
• Notable Point:
  • "If you're so convinced that you should tell your spouse everything, then before you take people's secrets, let them know. At least you keep your integrity that way.” (32:10)
• Gossip undermines trust and makes people hesitant to be vulnerable.

4. Slander (34:45)

• Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:8-10 (repeated)
• Slander is malicious speech aimed at damaging someone's reputation; it’s trying to get others to dislike whom you dislike.
• Traces root motives to ego, jealousy, bitterness, or self-righteousness.
• Quote:
  • “A sign of spiritual immaturity is trying to get people to dislike who you dislike.” (35:35)
• Example: Decades-long friendship undone by a single offense; tendency to view the negative as the “real.”
• Call to recognize and avoid sowing strife in family, church, or workplace.

5. Cursing (38:45)

• Scripture Reference: Luke 6:27-28
• Cursing includes insults, unfair criticism, and wishing harm upon others.
• In some biblical contexts, cursing means wishing for someone’s separation from God or for punishment.
• “Sometimes we do that in slow motion. We’re processing as the words are coming out and the Holy Spirit is almost like stopping time and saying, ‘Hey, stop what you’re doing, don’t say it.’ And we release those words anyway.” (40:25)
• Reminder that all people are made in God’s image—cursing others is dishonoring God in them.
• Quote:
  • “If anybody ever hears that you’ve been talking about them, may it be that they heard that you said something good about them.” (41:15)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• “The words you speak can either encourage or discourage. You can inspire faith or doubt. You can invite holiness or compromise.” (02:00)
• “Be careful of what you speak because God has given you a power in your speech.” (03:30)
• Story about people being superstitious about words, believing that acknowledging an illness is “speaking it into existence.” (05:00)
• The “vault” analogy for trust and confidentiality (30:00–33:00).

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00-01:30| Introduction to the power of words and “sins of the tongue” | | 04:10-06:25| Balancing scripture teaching with practical wisdom | | 08:20-12:00| Scriptural foundation: Proverbs 18, James 1 & 3 | | 16:20-24:50| 1st Sin: Complaint | | 24:50-28:35| 2nd Sin: Lying | | 28:35-34:45| 3rd Sin: Gossip | | 34:45-38:45| 4th Sin: Slander | | 38:45-43:00| 5th Sin: Cursing | | 43:00-45:15| Final prayer and call to cultivate godly speech |

Practical Challenge & Closing Thoughts

• David encourages listeners to let the Holy Spirit convict and guide them in their daily speech.
• “May we be people who speak the truth, no exaggerations, no understatements, no manipulation, but the truth in love. And may we be people who are filled with praise and not complaint.” (43:15)
• Prayer for courage to make things right, become vessels of unity, encouragement, truth, and praise.

For Further Listening:

• Seek a heart of gratitude.
• Guard entrusted information and resist the urge to share for entertainment or social points.
• Bless others behind their backs; build others up so that if people hear you spoke of them, it’s for their good.

Summary Prepared By:
Encounter Podcast Summarizer

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