Speech is a major theme throughout the Bible. God created humans with the ability to communicate through language, and Scripture has much to say about how we use our words. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that address speech:
Proverbs on Speech
The book of Proverbs contains extensive teaching about speech and the power of the tongue. Here are some key verses:
- “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
- “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
- “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
- “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
Proverbs emphasizes that our words have tremendous power. We can use speech to heal and encourage, or to destroy and tear down. A major theme is using restraint and wisdom in how we speak.
Jesus on Speech
Jesus also taught extensively about speech. Here are some key passages:
- “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matthew 12:34-35).
- “I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36).
- “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person… For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person” (Matthew 15:11, 19-20a).
Jesus emphasizes that our speech flows out of our heart condition. Our words reveal the state of our inner person. We cannot separate speech from character.
James on the Power of the Tongue
The book of James has a sobering assessment of the power of the tongue:
- “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).
- “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:7-8).
- “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).
James argues that controlling our speech is incredibly challenging. The tongue is powerful and slippery. He condemns blessing God while cursing people as utterly inconsistent.
Instructions for Christian Speech
The New Testament letters contain many exhortations for how Christians should speak:
- “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).
- “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
- “Speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2).
- “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly” (2 Timothy 2:16).
- “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” (Ephesians 4:29).
Christians are called to build up others with our words, speak gracefully and gently, avoid godless and coarse talk, and model holiness in speech.
The Power of the Tongue
A major theme throughout Scripture is that our speech is tremendously powerful. James compares the tongue to a fire that can consume everything in its path (James 3:5). Our words can influence the course of lives and reveal the state of our hearts. Therefore, as Christians we are exhorted to use speech intentionally for the building up of others and the glory of God.
Verses on Truthful Speech
The Bible consistently condemns dishonest, false, or misleading speech. Here are some passages that address speaking truthfully:
- “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25).
- “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9).
- The Lord “delights in people who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22).
- “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22).
- “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).
God is a God of truth who calls His followers to reflect His character through honest and sincere speech.
Controlling the Tongue
A Christian’s speech should be controlled and restrained by the power of God and the wisdom of Scripture. The Bible encourages believers to exercise great caution in how they use words:
- “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).
- “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
- “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (James 3:8).
- “Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
Restraining the tongue is a mark of wisdom and godliness. Christians should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and cautious with words (James 1:19).
Speaking with Grace
Christians are called to season their speech with grace, building up others and imparting blessing:
- “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).
- “My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding” (Psalm 49:3).
- “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
- “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Speaking with grace, wisdom and careful thought is pleasing to God and benefits those who listen. Our words should build others up, not tear them down.
Boastful Speech
The Bible consistently condemns boastful speech and reminds us that all talents and abilities ultimately come from God:
- “May the arrogant not stand in my presence” (Psalm 5:5).
- “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth” (Proverbs 27:2).
- “So too, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).
- “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3).
- “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Boasting over skills, appearance, wealth or other transient things is foolish. Instead we should humbly steward the gifts God has given us for His glory.
Slander and Gossip
The Bible clearly prohibits slander, gossip, and speaking ill of others:
- “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:16).
- “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes…a lying tongue…a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
- “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander” (1 Peter 2:1).
- “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered” (Proverbs 11:13).
Christians must restrain the tongue and avoid defaming others through slander, gossip, deceit or hypocrisy. We are called to speak truth in love.
Quarreling
Scripture repeatedly warns against getting into quarrels through hasty, foolish or contentious speech:
- “Remind them…to avoid quarreling about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14).
- “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling” (Proverbs 20:3).
- “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27).
- “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5-6).
Christians are called to avoid needless quarrels and extend grace during disagreements. Quarreling often stems from pride rather than love.
Corrupt Speech
The Bible clearly prohibits vulgar, obscene, profane or abuse speech that reflects a corrupt heart:
- “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place” (Ephesians 5:4)
- “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth” (Colossians 3:8).
- “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12).
- “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” (Ephesians 4:29).
Christians must work to extinguish corrupt speech patterns and model purity, holiness and wisdom in our communication.
Speaking to Build Up
The overarching goal of Christian speech should be to build up others and glorify God. Our words should aim to benefit those who hear them:
- “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).
- “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19).
- “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty” (James 2:12).
- “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Romans 15:2).
Before we speak, we should ask if our words will impart life and grace to those who hear them. Our speech should aim to build others up in truth and love.
Conclusion
The Bible contains extensive teaching on speech because our words hold tremendous power. As Christians, we are called to use language wisely, speak truthfully, avoid quarrels and gossip, exercise restraint over the tongue, and aim to build up others with our words. Our speech should bring glory to God by reflecting His character.
While Scripture acknowledges the tongue’s tendency toward evil, God can empower believers to use words in a way that blesses others. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Christians can speak “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29).