Speech is a vital part of human interaction and communication. The Bible’s teachings often highlight the significance of the words we speak. It advises its readers on the careful and thoughtful usage of words to communicate truth, establish harmony, and promote wisdom. Some verses in the Bible caution individuals about the potential harm resulting from hasty, disrespectful, or deceitful words. This guide will delve into several themes addressing the importance of speech, as underscored by the Bible.
What the Bible Teaches about the Power of Speech
The Bible unambiguously conveys the strength in words. It elaborates how speech has the ability to build or destroy, heal or wound, unite or divide. It’s not merely the words themselves, but the manner and the spirit in which they are said that truly matters. The Bible drives home the point that language can be a powerful tool for love and respect, and conversely, a weapon of disrespect and disharmony. Various verses reiterate the potency of speech, encouraging readers to wield their words wisely.
Who Should Speak, and When, according to the Bible
The Bible provides precise guidance on who should talk, indicating that all have the right to express themselves, yet insisting on the importance of using discernment. Timing of speech is also of utmost importance in the Bible’s teachings. Various verses suggest that there is a time for silence and a time for speaking, suggesting that wisdom lies in discerning when to hold one’s tongue and when to utter necessary words. Discernment, wisdom, and spiritual understanding play vital roles in determining the necessity and timing of speech.
Why the Bible Emphasizes Truthful Speech
The Bible places heavy emphasis on the truth. Falsehoods, lies and deceit are warned against, as they lead to conflicts, mistrust, and disruption of harmony. The Bible portrays truthful speech as a path to peace, justice and the establishment of strong relationships. It envisages a society where people communicate truthfully, promoting openness, honesty, and mutual understanding. This emphasis on truth in the Bible signifies that the value of speech lies not merely in the words spoken, but in their truth and sincerity.
Where Speech Is Used To Build Up Others in the Bible
The Bible encourages using speech as a powerful instrument for building and fostering positive relationships. Several verses indicate that words can bring peace, instill hope, encourage, uplift spirits, and even heal emotional wounds. In essence, the Bible exhorts the employment of speech as a constructive tool in the service of others, noting that such an approach contributes significantly to maintaining harmony and unity among people.
When the Bible Advises Controlled Speech
The Bible profoundly understands human nature and its tendencies, and cautions against uncontrolled speech. It grants that words spoken in anger, frustration, and other heightened emotional states can cause lasting damage and create rifts. For this reason, the Bible urges individuals to exercise self-control when speaking, to practice patience, and to delay response until calmness is regained. Overarching modeling of controlled speech by the Bible, teaches that thoughtful, measured words cultivate understanding and love.
Below is our full list of bible verses on speech (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Speech
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
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
Psalm 19:14
“14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life Pleasing God Heart Communication
Psalm 49:3
“3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.”
Related Themes: Memory
Proverbs 18:13
“13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Related Themes: Arguing Business Listening Communication Resolving Conflict
Proverbs 8:13
“13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Proverbs 18:21
“21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life New Life Self-Control Attitude
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
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Arguing Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
James 3:2-10
“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.3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: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.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Pride Perfection Idleness
Proverbs 16:24
“24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Psalm 37:30-31
“30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
Related Themes: Wisdom
Proverbs 21:23
“23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
Related Themes: Gossip Resolving Conflict Arguing Self-Control Cursing
James 3:9-10
“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.”
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 Speaking
Ephesians 4:15
“15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Criticism Gossip Judging Others Resolving Conflict
Matthew 15:11
“11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”
Colossians 3:17
“17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Related Themes: Business Attitude Gratitude Thankfulness Dedication
James 5:12
“12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Oaths Idleness Swearing
Ecclesiastes 9:17
“17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”
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
Acts 18:9-10
“9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”
Related Themes: Vision Speaking Up
Psalm 36:3-4
“3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
Related Themes: Deceit
2 Corinthians 8:7
“7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
Related Themes: Excellence Grace Diligence Benevolence Money
Psalm 34:13
“13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
Related Themes: Gossip Telling The Truth Lying Understanding Truth
Psalm 12:3-4
“3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?”
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 Speaking Self-Control Wisdom
Proverbs 23:15-16
“15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.”
Proverbs 20:15
“15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
2 Timothy 2:23
“23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
