The First Successful
Tongue Transplant

Back in July an unidentified 42 year old man underwent a 14 hour operation at Vienna General Hospital in Vienna, Austria. The patient was suffering from a malignant tumor on his tongue and in his jaw. In the course of the operation, doctors removed the tumor and attached a new tongue. The man was the recipient of the first successful tongue transplant on a human being. In mid-September there were no signs of his rejecting the new tongue. In fact, there was good blood flow to the new tongue and the recipient was beginning to learn how to swallow and talk. Doctors think it is unlikely the patient will ever recover the ability to taste.

As I read news accounts of the groundbreaking surgery, I recalled how many times I have wished I could cut out my tongue and install a new one. There have been so many times I have seen words come flying out of my mouth and I have wanted to grab them and stuff them back where they came from. Truth is we can’t “unspeak” words and getting a new tongue is not that easy. But we can seek God’s help. God is the only one who can correct the problems we have with our tongue.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

“Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Proverbs 21:23

“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” 1 Timothy 5:13

"Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.” Exodus 23:1

“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.” Psalm 35:28

“Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.” Psalm 17:3

“I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.’" Psalm 39:1

Be careful with that thing!

--Bob Clark

9/23/2003