What the heart is full, the mouth runs over. God really places a huge emphasis on speech. Loose lips sink ships. How do I fix my speech? Start with fixing your heart and follow Jesus’ example.
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:1-20 NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27 NIV
“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Proverbs 13:3 NIV
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
"A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city, and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace."
Proverbs 18:19 NIV
"The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil person’s thoughts are worth very little."
Proverbs 10:20 NIV
"Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop."
Proverbs 26:20 NIV
“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.”
Proverbs 11:17 NIV
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."
Matthew 15:18 NIV
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36-37 NIV
"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth."
Colossians 3:8 NIV
"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."
James 1:26 NIV
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
James 3:3-6 NIV
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
James 3:9-12 NIV
"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Proverbs 29:20 NIV
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Colossians 4:6 NIV
What to speak, How to speak and Why to speak
Conversation 1: Between You and God
Correct your mindset. God is for you, remember who God is. Abide in Christ
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-8 NIV
Change your perspective on what you are praying for.
- How can I serve your purposes in this person’s life,
- God? What words are fitting for this situation?
- What are you after here, Lord?
- Where are you working here?
- How can I be of help?
Seek wisdom.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-24 NIV
Conversation 2: Between You and Yourself
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11 NIV
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Psalm 34:17-20 NIV
Conversation 3: Between You and the Enemy
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 KJV
Conversation 4: Between You and Me
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5 NIV
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37 NIV
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.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
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