Positive aspects of speech

Synopsis

The way in which believers speak should reflect their calling as Christians. Christian speech should be
sincere, godly and honouring to God.

The desire for godly speech

In oneself

Ps 19:14

Psalm 19:14 (HCSB) — 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

See also Ps 17:3; Ps 39:1; Ps 141:3

Psalm 17:3 (HCSB) — 3 You have tested my heart; You have examined me at night.
You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will
not sin.

Psalm 39:1 (HCSB) — 1 I said, “I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my
tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my
presence.”

Psalm 141:3 (HCSB) — 3 LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the
door of my lips.

In others

Eph 4:29–31

Ephesians 4:29–31 (HCSB) — 29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but
only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those
who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the
day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must
be removed from you, along with all malice.

See also Pr 4:24; Ec 5:6; Eph 5:4; Col 3:8–10; 1 Pe 3:9–10; Ps 34:12–13

Proverbs 4:24 (HCSB) — 24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let
your lips talk deviously.
 Ecclesiastes 5:6 (HCSB) — 6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not
say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be
angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

Ephesians 5:4 (HCSB) — 4 Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not
suitable, but rather giving thanks.

Colossians 3:8–10 (HCSB) — 8 But now you must also put away all the following:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to
one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put
on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of
your Creator.

1 Peter 3:9–10 (HCSB) — 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on
the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit
a blessing. 10 For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep
his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,

Psalm 34:12–13 (HCSB) — 12 Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life
to enjoy what is good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful
speech.

Characteristics of godly speech in relation to God

It gives glory to God

Heb 13:15

Hebrews 13:15 (HCSB) — 15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to

God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.

See also Ps 34:1; Ps 35:28; Ps 51:15; 1 Pe 2:9

Psalm 34:1 (HCSB) — 1 I will praise the LORD at all times; His praise will always be
on my lips.

Psalm 35:28 (HCSB) — 28 And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your
praise all day long.

Psalm 51:15 (HCSB) — 15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your
praise.

1 Peter 2:9 (HCSB) — 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the
One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

It gives thanks and praise to God

Col 3:17

Colossians 3:17 (HCSB) — 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do

everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
Him.

See also Dt 8:10; 1 Ch 16:4; 1 Ch 16:7–8; 1 Ch 16:34–36; Ps 100:4; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:19;

Ps 118:21; Ps 118:28–29; Joe 2:26; Mk 8:6–7; Col 2:7; 1 Th 5:18; Jas 3:9–10

Deuteronomy 8:10 (HCSB) — 10 When you eat and are full, you will praise the
LORD your God for the good land He has given you.

1 Chronicles 16:4 (HCSB) — 4 David appointed some of the Levites to be ministers

before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate the LORD God of Israel, and to give thanks
and praise to Him.

1 Chronicles 16:7–8 (HCSB) — 7 On that day David decreed for the first time that
thanks be given to the LORD by Asaph and his relatives: 8 Give thanks to Yahweh;
call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples.

1 Chronicles 16:34–36 (HCSB) — 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His
faithful love endures forever. 35 And say: “Save us, God of our salvation; gather us
and rescue us from the nations so that we may give thanks to Your holy name and
rejoice in Your praise. 36 May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised from
everlasting to everlasting.” Then all the people said, “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

Psalm 100:4 (HCSB) — 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with
praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Psalm 118:1 (HCSB) — 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love
endures forever.

Psalm 118:19 (HCSB) — 19 Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter
through them and give thanks to the LORD.

Psalm 118:21 (HCSB) — 21 I will give thanks to You because You have answered me
and have become my salvation.

Psalm 118:28–29 (HCSB) — 28 You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are
my God; I will exalt You. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love
endures forever.

Joel 2:26 (HCSB) — 26 You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise
the name of Yahweh your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will
never again be put to shame.
 Mark 8:6–7 (HCSB) — 6 Then He commanded the crowd to sit down on the
ground. Taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks, broke the loaves, and kept on
giving them to His disciples to set before the people. So they served the loaves to
the crowd. 7 They also had a few small fish, and when He had blessed them, He
said these were to be served as well.

Colossians 2:7 (HCSB) — 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,
just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB) — 18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will
for you in Christ Jesus.

James 3:9–10 (HCSB) — 9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men
who are made in God’s likeness with it. 10 Praising and cursing come out of the
same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

It confesses Jesus Christ as Lord

Ro 10:9–10

Romans 10:9–10 (HCSB) — 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One
believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the
mouth, resulting in salvation.

See also Mt 10:32–33; Mt 16:16; 1 Co 12:3

Matthew 10:32–33 (HCSB) — 32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me

before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. 33 But
whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Matthew 16:16 (HCSB) — 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son
of the living God!”

1 Corinthians 12:3 (HCSB) — 3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking

by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”
except by the Holy Spirit.

Characteristics of godly speech in relation to others

It is gentle, gracious and tactful

Col 4:6

Colossians 4:6 (HCSB) — 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with
salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
 See also Jdg 8:1–3; Pr 10:32; Pr 15:1; Pr 16:24; Ec 10:12; Da 2:14–16; 1 Pe 3:15

Judges 8:1–3 (HCSB) — 1 The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done
this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites?” And they
argued with him violently. 2 So he said to them, “What have I done now compared
to you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God
handed over to you Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. What was I able to
do compared to you?” When he said this, their anger against him subsided.

Proverbs 10:32 (HCSB) — 32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.

Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB) — 1 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs
up wrath.

Proverbs 16:24 (HCSB) — 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste
and health to the body.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (HCSB) — 12 The words from the mouth of a wise man are
gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Daniel 2:14–16 (HCSB) — 14 Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to
Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise
men of Babylon. 15 He asked Arioch, the king’s officer, “Why is the decree from the
king so harsh?” Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel. 16 So Daniel went
and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give the king the
interpretation.

1 Peter 3:15 (HCSB) — 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be
ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in
you.

It is kind

Pr 12:25

Proverbs 12:25 (HCSB) — 25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good
word cheers it up.

See also Ge 50:19–21; Job 4:3–4; 1 Co 4:13; 2 Ti 2:24–25

Genesis 50:19–21 (HCSB) — 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in

the place of God? 20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring
about the present result—the survival of many people. 21 Therefore don’t be
afraid. I will take care of you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and
spoke kindly to them.
 Job 4:3–4 (HCSB) — 3 Indeed, you have instructed many and have strengthened
weak hands. 4 Your words have steadied the one who was stumbling and braced
the knees that were buckling.

1 Corinthians 4:13 (HCSB) — 13 when we are slandered, we respond graciously.

Even now, we are like the world’s garbage, like the dirt everyone scrapes off their
sandals.

2 Timothy 2:24–25 (HCSB) — 24 The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be
gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with
gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the
knowledge of the truth.

It is instructive and edifying

Col 3:16

Colossians 3:16 (HCSB) — 16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly
among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

See also Pr 12:18; Pr 15:2; Pr 15:4; Pr 15:7; Pr 20:15; Pr 25:11–12; Pr 31:26; Mal 2:7; Eph
4:15; Eph 4:29

Proverbs 12:18 (HCSB) — 18 There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword;
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:2 (HCSB) — 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but
the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:4 (HCSB) — 4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious
tongue breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:7 (HCSB) — 7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the
heart of fools.

Proverbs 20:15 (HCSB) — 15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but

knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

Proverbs 25:11–12 (HCSB) — 11 A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples
on a silver tray. 12 A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an
ornament of gold.

Proverbs 31:26 (HCSB) — 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving
instruction is on her tongue.
 Malachi 2:7 (HCSB) — 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and
people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the
LORD of Hosts.

Ephesians 4:15 (HCSB) — 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every
way into Him who is the head —Christ.

Ephesians 4:29 (HCSB) — 29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but
only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those
who hear.

It is prudent and restrained

Pr 17:27

Proverbs 17:27 (HCSB) — 27 The intelligent person restrains his words, and one
who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding.

See also Pr 15:28; Pr 18:13; Ec 5:2; Ec 9:17; Jas 1:19

Proverbs 15:28 (HCSB) — 28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before
answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

Proverbs 18:13 (HCSB) — 13 The one who gives an answer before he listens— this
is foolishness and disgrace for him.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (HCSB) — 2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to

make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your
words be few.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (HCSB) — 17 The calm words of the wise are heeded more than
the shouts of a ruler over fools.

James 1:19 (HCSB) — 19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must
be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

It is honest and unadorned

Mt 5:37

Matthew 5:37 (HCSB) — 37 But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’
Anything more than this is from the evil one.

See also Ps 15:2–3; Ps 141:5; Pr 24:26; Pr 27:5–6; Pr 27:9; Pr 28:23

 Psalm 15:2–3 (HCSB) — 2 The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness, and
acknowledges the truth in his heart — 3 who does not slander with his tongue,
who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor,

Psalm 141:5 (HCSB) — 5 Let the righteous one strike me— it is an act of faithful
love; let him rebuke me— it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my
prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.

Proverbs 24:26 (HCSB) — 26 He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the
lips.

Proverbs 27:5–6 (HCSB) — 5 Better an open reprimand than concealed love. 6 The
wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

Proverbs 27:9 (HCSB) — 9 Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the
sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.

Proverbs 28:23 (HCSB) — 23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.

It is truthful and sincere

Zec 8:16

Zechariah 8:16 (HCSB) — 16 These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one
another; make true and sound decisions within your gates.

See also Ex 20:16; Pr 12:17; Pr 12:19; Pr 12:22; Mal 2:6; 2 Co 2:17; 2 Co 4:2; 2 Co 6:7;
Eph 4:25

Exodus 20:16 (HCSB) — 16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Proverbs 12:17 (HCSB) — 17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a
false witness, deceit.

Proverbs 12:19 (HCSB) — 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a
moment.

Proverbs 12:22 (HCSB) — 22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but faithful
people are His delight.

Malachi 2:6 (HCSB) — 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing wrong was
found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and fairness and turned many from
sin.
 2 Corinthians 2:17 (HCSB) — 17 For we are not like the many who market God’s
message for profit. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God
and before God.

2 Corinthians 4:2 (HCSB) — 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things,

not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to
every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.

2 Corinthians 6:7 (HCSB) — 7 by the message of truth, by the power of God;

through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left,

Ephesians 4:25 (HCSB) — 25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to
his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

It is wise

Ps 37:30

Psalm 37:30 (HCSB) — 30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom; his tongue
speaks what is just.

See also Pr 10:13; Pr 10:31; Pr 13:14; Ac 6:10

Proverbs 10:13 (HCSB) — 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a
rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.

Proverbs 10:31 (HCSB) — 31 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a
perverse tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 13:14 (HCSB) — 14 A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning

people away from the snares of death.

Acts 6:10 (HCSB) — 10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and
the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

It will speak of God and his works

Dt 6:6–9

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (HCSB) — 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be
in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in
your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you
get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your
forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

See also Ps 40:9–10; Ps 145:7; Mal 3:16

 Psalm 40:9–10 (HCSB) — 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do
not keep my mouth closed — as You know, LORD. 10 I did not hide Your
righteousness in my heart; I spoke about Your faithfulness and salvation; I did not
conceal Your constant love and truth from the great assembly.

Psalm 145:7 (HCSB) — 7 They will give a testimony of Your great goodness and will
joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

Malachi 3:16 (HCSB) — 16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke to one
another. The LORD took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written
before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name.

Jesus Christ’s speech was perfect and unique

Jn 7:46

John 7:46 (HCSB) — 46 The police answered, “No man ever spoke like this!”

See also Mt 7:28–29; Mt 13:54; Lk 4:22; 1 Pe 2:22–23; Is 53:9

Matthew 7:28–29 (HCSB) — 28 When Jesus had finished this sermon, the crowds
were astonished at His teaching, 29 because He was teaching them like one who
had authority, and not like their scribes.

Matthew 13:54 (HCSB) — 54 He went to His hometown and began to teach them
in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “How did this wisdom
and these miracles come to Him?

Luke 4:22 (HCSB) — 22 They were all speaking well of Him and were amazed by the
gracious words that came from His mouth, yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

1 Peter 2:22–23 (HCSB) — 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in
His mouth; 23 when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was
suffering, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

Isaiah 53:9 (HCSB) — 9 They made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man at His death, although
He had done

Speech as a means of blessing people

Nu 6:22–27

Numbers 6:22–27 (HCSB) — 22 The LORD spoke to Moses: 23 “Tell Aaron and his
sons how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 May Yahweh bless you and
protect you; 25 may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26
may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. 27 In this way they will
pronounce My name over the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
 See also Ge 1:22; Ge 1:28; Dt 21:5; 1 Ch 23:13

Genesis 1:22 (HCSB) — 22 So God blessed them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the
waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 (HCSB) — 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful,
multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky,
and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

Deuteronomy 21:5 (HCSB) — 5 Then the priests, the sons of Levi, will come
forward, for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce
blessings in His name, and they are to give a ruling in every dispute and case of
assault.

1 Chronicles 23:13 (HCSB)