What Does the Lord Teach About Our Speech? - Ben Bailey

What Does the Lord Teach About Our Speech?

            How should a Christian talk? What kind of things should or should not come out of a Christian’s mouth? Hopefully these are questions you have thought about and or maybe are thinking about.  The good news is God teaches us the way we should talk and the things we should avoid saying.  Notice what the Bible teaches about our speech. 

            Let your speech be gracious.  The Word of God says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one” (Col. 4:2).  No one enjoys talking to or listening to someone whose speech is abrasive or harmful.  A Christians speech should be gracious and preserving.  The idea here is that our speech should be kind, considerate of others and we should say things in a way that should open doors rather than close them. 

            Speak the Truth in Love.  Someone once told me a truth about speech that I have never forgot…You are never someone’s enemy when you tell them the truth (Gal. 4:16).  It may be uncomfortable.  It may feel like you are becoming their enemy, but if truth sets people free you are not their enemy (John 8:32).  However, our approach with the truth also needs to be considered. When I tell someone the truth it must be done in love.  With a kind an loving heart and with the motivation of love is how I should always approach others.  

            Avoid evil speech.  The Word of God says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29).  Paul also reminded Christians to put off “filthy language out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8).  Maybe you used to use foul language or say coarse words before you became a Christian.  As a child of God, you must work on breaking that habit and removing those words from your vocabulary.  Remember, the Lord said for every idle word men speak they will give an account of in the judgment (Mt. 12:36-37).

            May every Christian have the mindset and the attitude of the Psalmist when he said, “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).   Let’s use our speech to encourage, build up and praise God not for evil purposes!       --Ben Bailey