What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

What Does The Bible Say About Speaking? As followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve been called to use the power of our tongues for good. Psalms 19:14 says, “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O LORD, my refuge and my strength!” By following the example of Jesus Christ, we are able to choose when to speak, what to speak, and how to speak. As His followers, we must be gracious in speech. In this light, we’ll be able to use the right words in building and not destroying. Till date, the incident that took place in early October 1871 is still described as the most deadly forest fire in U.S. history. It was so intense that it killed over 1,200 people and consumed about 2 billion trees. Who knows? Perhaps, the inferno may have been started by mere sparks from passing trains.

James 3:5-9 says, “So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. Human beings can tame and have tamed all other creatures – wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God.”

What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

James 3:10-12 says, “Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. A fig tree, my brothers and sisters, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.” This is a call for us to use the words from our mouth to build up, and not tear down. That is, we ought to reflect the nature of God in our thoughts, words, and actions. Our thoughts, words, and actions should reflect God’s sovereign rule over our lives. And as we know, God is love. Hence, all our thoughts, words. and actions should be done out of love. For the Scriptures say that anyone who does not love does not know God.

What does the Scriptures say about Speaking?

Although speech is part of our daily lives, we must speak all the time. In fact the Scriptures clearly point to a time for maintaining silence and the time for talk (Ecclesiastes 3:7). It is important to understand that maintaining silence when others are speaking can be a great mark of respect (Job 6:24). In addition, the ability to control our tongues and maintain them quiet about a confidential matter gives evidence of discretion, maturity, and discernment (Proverbs 20:19). The Scriptures tell us that restraining our tongues when we are provoked is the course of wisdom (Psalm 4:4). It is important to understand that the wise maintains silence till the right time to speak. Jesus Himself knew when it was the right time to speak and when it was the right time to maintain silence (John 18:33-37; 19:8-11).

Jesus once said to His disciples, “I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear. When, however the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, He will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own authority, but He will speak of what He hears, and will tell you of things to come” (John 16:12-13). Brethren, let no one deceive you for there definitely are occasions when we need to discern the right time to speak. Remember the saying that “A wise man knows when to speak and when to maintain silence.” Whether you want to speak or react to an offense, take time to put things in order before stepping into action. If you must speak or react, it won’t be wise to do so when you are upset.

Facts about Speaking

We must live with the consequences of what we say. What we speak out has the ability to preserve life or destroy it (Proverbs 18:21). That is why it is important to be diligent in your speech. Words have the power to hurt as well as to heal (Proverbs 12:18). It is only under Satan’s control that people find pleasure in using words to inflict pain and suffering to others. Psalms 64:3 says, “They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like arrows.” A Christian must avoid these evil practices. Sarcasm is one example of “cruel words” which points to stinging remarks that are intended to belittle or rebuke others. Although sarcasm is often meant to be humorous, it can quickly deteriorate into disrespectful, insulting speech. Cruel sarcasm is a form of abusive speech that we should avoid.

What The Bible Says About Speaking

Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Ephesians 5:4 – “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.“

Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”

Proverbs 13:3 – “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”

Proverbs 15:4 – “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

James 1:26 – “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”

Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”

Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”

Matthew 12:37 – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”

Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Speaking

1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

Titus 3:2 – “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

James 3:8-10 – “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Proverbs 17:28 – “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Matthew 12:36 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,”

Proverbs 26:28 – “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

1 Peter 3:10 – For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;”

Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

James 3:2 – “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Speaking

Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Ecclesiastes 10:20 – “Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.”

Proverbs 19:1 – “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.”

James 3:5 – “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!“

Ecclesiastes 3:7 – “A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;”

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Proverbs 18:6 – “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.”

1 Peter 3:15– “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,“

Proverbs 31:26 – “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Speaking

Ecclesiastes 7:22 – “Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.”

Proverbs 15:2 – “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.”

Proverbs 10:31 – “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.”

Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Proverbs 17:27 – “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”

Proverbs 15:26 – “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.”

Matthew 12:35 – “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”

Proverbs 10:19 – “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

Proverbs 12:23 – “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.”

1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Proverbs 14:3 – “By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.”

Proverbs 10:32 – “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.”

Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Speaking

Proverbs 12:6 – “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.”

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 – “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. …”

Acts 2:1-47 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting, And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them, And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …”

Proverbs 10:11 – “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”

1 Peter 2:1 – “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

Proverbs 15:7 – “The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.”

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Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Revelation 14:5 – “And in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.”

Romans 3:13 – “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”

Psalm 70:3 – “Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!””

Matthew 5:22 – “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”

Psalm 119:172 – “My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.”

1 Corinthians 6:10 – “Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Proverbs 15:23 – “To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!”

Genesis 1:3 – “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

Proverbs 21:23 – “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”

Proverbs 14:25 – “A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.”

Luke 6:45 – “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Proverbs 29:20 – “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Zechariah 8:16 – “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 – “The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.”

Acts 11:15 – “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.”

Proverbs 11:9 – “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.”

1 Corinthians 14:35 – “If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”

Amos 5:13 – “Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.”

James 3:13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Proverbs 18:13 – “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Proverbs 18:7 – “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”

Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 – “Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.”

Ecclesiastes 10:14 – “A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?”

Isaiah 38:14 – “Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!”

Isaiah 55:11 – “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Proverbs 19:28 – “A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

Ecclesiastes 9:17 – “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

Proverbs 30:10 – “Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.”

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Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Proverbs 12:17-19 – “Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”

James 4:11 – “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”

Proverbs 12:14 – “From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.”

Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Titus 1:11 – “They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.”

Philippians 1:27 – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

Psalm 34:13 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”

Proverbs 12:13 – “An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.”

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Zephaniah 3:13 – “Those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Matthew 18:15 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Acts 14:1 – “Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Speaking?

Proverbs 24:2 – “For their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.”

Ecclesiastes 10:13 – “The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.”

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Proverbs 26:4 – “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.“

Matthew 6:7 – “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”