Speaking is a fundamental aspect of human life that goes beyond mere communication. It reflects individual characters and values and has the potential to influence others positively or negatively. The Bible provides a wealth of wisdom and guidance about speaking in various perspectives, stressing the importance of positive speaking, cautioning against false and harmful speech, and asserting the power of words.
What the Bible Advises about Positive Speaking
The Bible consistently advocates for positive and uplifting talk. It encourages using our words to inspire, comfort, and strengthen one another. In the Bible, speaking is an intentional act to edify those around us while expressing our thoughts and emotions in the purest form. Warm, gracious words can draw minds closer, stimulate thought, and bring about a sense of togetherness, unity, and love. The Bible reminds us that speaking should come from a place of love and should not be a catalyst for discord and division.
Why Caution against Negative Speaking Is Emphasized in the Bible
The Bible underscores the potential harm words can inflict. It warns against speaking in anger, spreading falsehoods, engaging in vain chatter, or uttering bitterly critical words. Negative speaking has the potential to sow seeds of conflict, mistrust, and toxicity among people. The Bible points out the dangers of unguarded tongue, which can lead to strained relationships, unreconcilable disputes, or even destruction. It emphasizes that restraint in speech is a wise trait and calls upon everyone to tame and control their tongue.
Who Tames the Tongue?
According to the Bible, anyone who can control their tongue can also control their whole body. Taming the tongue is a challenging task, but it is possible with self-discipline, patience, and divine wisdom. The Bible illustrates that with mindfulness, thoughtfulness, and an understanding heart, anyone can master their tongue. It encourages us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slower to wrath. Mastering the tongue requires a concerted effort to align our spoken words with walking in faithfulness and righteousness.
Where the Power of Words Emanates From
The Bible emphasizes the power hidden within the words we speak. Spoken words are not mere sounds or vibrations but potent tools. The Bible teaches that the tongue has the power of life and death. Words spoken thoughtfully and kindly can inspire, motivate and bring life to the receiver. On the flip side, harsh words can diminish confidence, alienate individuals, and cause untold emotional damage. The enormous power entrusted to the tongue demands that we exercise discretion and wisdom while using it.
When Speaking Is Used as a Vehicle for Prayer
The Bible portrays speaking as a significant vehicle for prayer – a method of communicating with the divine. It places great emphasis on the importance of genuine, heartfelt words in prayer, reminding us that eloquence or verbosity does not increase the potency of our prayers. The Bible underscores the importance of speaking sincerely when praying, free of pretense or hypocrisy. It shows that prayer – a form of speaking – is a reflection of our relationship with God, revealing our faith, trust, and dependence on Him.
Below is the full list of bible verses on speaking (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Speaking
Proverbs 13:3
“3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life Self-Control Wisdom
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others Cursing
James 1:19
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Frustration Patience Frustration
Ephesians 5:4
“4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Arguing Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
Colossians 4:6
“6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Related Themes: Gossip Communication Cursing Understanding Boundaries
Matthew 12:37
“37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Related Themes: Words Responsibility Judgment
Psalm 141:3
“3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
Related Themes: Gossip Communication Silence Self-Control Speech
James 1:26
“26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Hypocrisy Judging Others Cursing
Proverbs 29:11
“11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Related Themes: Criticism Arguing Frustration Letting Go Emotions
Proverbs 15:28
“28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.”
Related Themes: Arguing Thinking Communication
Proverbs 15:4
“4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”
Related Themes: Gossip Telling The Truth Gentleness Speaking Up
Proverbs 17:28
“28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Related Themes: Silence Discernment Wisdom
James 3:8-10
“8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Titus 3:2
“2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Judging Others Gentleness Meekness
Matthew 12:36
“36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Related Themes: Gossip Idleness Fighting Slander Accountability
Proverbs 25:11
“11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Related Themes: Gold Jewelry Communication Words
1 Peter 3:9
“9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
Related Themes: Revenge Kindness Peace Vindictiveness Arguing
1 Peter 3:10
“10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Honesty Life Peace
Ephesians 4:25
“25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Gossip Bitterness Lying Morality
Proverbs 17:27
“27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”
Related Themes: Arguing Wisdom Understanding Excellence
James 3:2
“2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Pride Perfection Idleness
James 3:5
“5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
Proverbs 26:28
“28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
Related Themes: Gossip Reaping Reputation Reaping What You Sow Lying
Proverbs 19:1
“1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
Proverbs 31:26
“26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Related Themes: Kindness
Ecclesiastes 10:20
“20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.”
Proverbs 18:6
“6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
“16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Related Themes: Gossip Abomination Lying Pride
Proverbs 15:26
“26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.”
Related Themes: Abomination
