DAY FIVE: What Does The Bible Say About Our Speech? 

Scripture says a lot about the way we are to speak, including (but not limited to) these important truths. They apply as much to our online speech as they do to in-person dialogue. 

1. Speak with honesty. 

Proverbs 6:17 names a “lying tongue” as one of the things God hates. Lying is a sin, the product of a fallen nature. Lying is the work of the enemy (John 8:44). So truthful speech is the sign of a redeemed heart.

2. Speak against sin and heresy. 

Jesus very publicly, throughout the gospels, confronted errant religious leaders. When the heart of the gospel message was at stake, Paul was unafraid to confront Peter publicly (Galatians 2:11-13). And much of the New Testament consists of public letters that contain stinging rebuke of sin. 

3. Speak with creativity. 

The Bible seems to commend the appropriate use of satire and other forms of creative engagement. Elijah playfully taunted the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27). Jesus employed the use of parables, metaphors, and similes in communicating truth. Paul was often acerbic in his rebuke of the Corinthians. Sharply worded polemics, uplifting satire, and, at times, sarcasm, can be employed in a way that reflects faithful Christian witness. However, this must be done within the boundaries of what is considered civil and wise speech (see below).

4. Speak respectfully. 

In the Scriptures, kindness, respect, and good manners are not simply “nice” things for certain people, but are considered Christian virtues. Peter, in a letter written to address the persecution and marginalization of Christians, exhorts God’s people to be both courageous and civil (1 Peter 3:15). Later Peter reminds us to treat every single human being with dignity (1 Peter 2:17).

5. Speak with wisdom.

Words have power. Words matter. Words can either be life-giving or life-crushing. King David prayed for a mouth that offered words that were “acceptable” in the sight of God (Psalm 19:14). Proverbs affirms the value of applying just the right word in the right moment (Proverbs 25:11) and, like James (James 1:19), rebukes those who speak before thinking (Proverbs 17:28; 29:20).

6. Speak with humility. 

Graceful, measured, civil speech is a sign of God’s grace while proud, boastful speech is a sign of God’s resistance. Humility means speaking with recognition of our own fallenness. It means resisting the urge to speak out of turn. It means we have the self-awareness to know if we are the right person to speak on a particular issue at a particular time.

This was originally published at ERLC.com.

READ: 

2 Corinthians 10:5

Ephesians 4:25

1 Timothy 3

Titus 1

PRAY: 

Lord Jesus, help me speak so that it glorifies you. May my words be creative, respectful, wise, and humble. Help me always seek to communicate the truth and to speak against sin and heresy. In your name I pray, Amen.