“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4).
“Let no one deceive you with empty words…” (Ephesians 5:6).
“It is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret” (Ephesians 5:12).
“Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:18-20).
Have you ever heard something offensive or said something offensive and thought, they’re just words. Remember the old adage, sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Of course, we know that these things aren’t really true. The words we speak can either build up or they can tear down. And very often, what they tear down can be difficult or impossible to restore.
In the Bible, speech is very important. It is because of the words of scripture that we have come to believe in Jesus Christ. The confession we make either shows we are saved or shows we are condemned. Even Jesus said that we will give account for every careless word we have spoken (Matthew 12:36). It may even be worse with our written words, for they often last long after the spoken word may be forgotten continuing to damage and re-damage their target over and over again—especially in the days of the Internet!
What is it that marks your speech? Are you known as a sarcastic person? Do you find yourself saying critical things often without thinking? Do these things just come out? Remember Jesus’ words to the Jewish leaders. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). That he said this to the Jewish leaders is very important. They were known for their memory of scripture and exactitude of following the divine law. If this is how Jesus spoke to them, what might he have to say to us?
Read those passages of scripture again. Read them over and over. Let right speech pour forth from a heart of humility and love, and God will be pleased.
Memory Verse
“Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:18-20).
Application
Do you have a critical attitude? Search for scriptures that discuss how we should speak. Memorize those passages and recite them to yourself over and over. Let their principles transform the way you think and as a result, the way you speak.
