They say, “We are strong with our tongues, our lips are with us. Who is the one ruling over us?”
These words reveal the spirit of pride and rebellion that stands behind their speech. By saying, “We are mighty with our tongues,” they regard their words as a means of power, influence, and victory. They are confident that with their tongue they can deceive, persuade, oppress, or bring people under their will. The phrase “Our lips are with us” shows that they consider their speech to be fully under their own authority and think they can use it however they wish. And the question “Who is lord over us?” exposes their deep rebellion: they do not acknowledge any authority above themselves and reject that God is Lord even over their tongue and lips. Yet every word of a person is known to God, and He also sees the purpose for which that word is spoken. Therefore, the believer must use his tongue not to deceive or oppress others, but to speak truth and to put what is good into practice.