“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Psalm 34:13-14 (NIV)
How would you describe the way you talk?
Are your words positive, constructive, comforting, supportive, and uplifting? Or are the words that come out of your mouth most often cutting, negative, and hurtful?
According to Proverbs 15:4 (KJV),
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness there in is a breech in the spirit.” What does it mean to have a “wholesome tongue?”
A tongue that speaks good of people and situations. A tongue that builds up people (yourself and others). A tongue that is gentle. A tongue that is kind. A tongue that builds others up.
Psalm 34:13-14 (NIV) says, “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.“
The Bible makes it very clear in Matthew 12:36 (NIV) that we need to be careful about the things that we say: “
I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We all need to give a little more thought to what we say before we say it. “Biblical speech” involves applying God’s Word to our lives daily. It means we allow the principles of scripture to influence our words and how we use them. It means we build people up, we use words of challenge in loving ways, we use words of grace.
Proverbs 21:23 (NIV) gives good advice —
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Griping, grumbling, or complaining often doesn’t accomplish anything. And engaging in this kind of talk can also make you feel awful.
Titus 3:2 (NIV) instructs us
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
According to God’s Word, our behavior and our words should reflect our devotion to God. We need to pay attention to the way we conduct ourselves! Our words impact our lives, the lives of others, and our relationship with God. Commit yourself to studying God’s Word and applying his principles to your speech.
Read: Proverbs 15:4; Psalm 34:13-14; Matthew 12:36; Proverbs 21:23; Titus 3:2; Proverbs 16:24; Psalm 19:14
Take a Step: Memorize Psalm 19:14 (NIV):
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.“
by Dr. Henry Brandt
Used by permission
Further Reading
• Desolate or Fruitful? How are you with others?