Skip to main content

Speech

Outline​

  1. Characteristics of good speech
  2. Controlling the tongue
  3. Taking the Lord's name in vain
  4. The effects of our speech
  5. Conclusion
  6. Verse Reference
  7. Resources

Characteristics of Speech​

See the Verse Reference section at the bottom for the listed verses.

Good Speech​

  1. Truth (Ephesians 4:25, Colossians 3:9, James 5:12)
  2. Gentle/soft/gracious/sweet (Proverbs 15:1-2, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 25:15, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6, Titus 3:1-2)
  3. Quiet/silent/few words (Proverbs 17:28, Ecclesiastes 5:2)
  4. Apt - suitable, appropriate (Proverbs 15:23, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6)
  5. Restraining speech/self controlled speech/slow to speak (Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 21:23, James 1:19, James 1:26)
  6. Wisdom (Proverbs 10:31-32, Psalm 37:30-31)
  7. Acceptable/sound (Proverbs 10:31-32, 2 Timothy 2:16, Titus 2:7-8)
  8. Justice (Psalm 37:30-31)
  9. Healing - non-physical (Proverbs 12:18)
  10. Commends knowledge (Proverbs 15:1-2)
  11. Encouraging/blessing (Ephesians 4:29, James 3:9-10)

Bad Speech​

  1. Many words (Proverbs 10:19)
  2. Proud/arrogant (1 Samuel 2:2-3)
  3. Perverse/filthy/crude joking (Proverbs 10:31-32, Proverbs 15:4, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8)
  4. Evil/cursing (Psalm 34:13, Titus 3:1-2, James 3:9-10)
  5. Deceit/lying/slander (Psalm 34:13, Proverbs 6:16-19, Ephesians 4:25, Colossians 3:8-9, James 5:12)
  6. Belittling (Proverbs 11:12)
  7. Rashness/harshness (Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:1-2, Ecclesiastes 5:2)
  8. Folly/foolish (Proverbs 15:1-2, Ephesians 5:4)
  9. Speaking against God (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
  10. Hasty (Ecclesiastes 5:2, James 1:19)
  11. Meaningless (2 Timothy 2:16)
  12. Quarreling/disputing (Philippians 2:14, Titus 3:1-2)
  13. Grumbling (Philippians 2:14)

Controlling the Tongue​

What your heart is full of, your mouth will speak

Luke 6:45
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

We need to be filling our hearts with righteous things and our minds with righteous thoughts. Then our speech can be reflect our hearts and minds by speaking what is in them.

James 3:1-12 is a great passage on how and why we should control our tongue.

James 3:1-12
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Our tongue is such a small thing but is easy to use and has great power so we need to be careful in using it. We must be consistent in using our tongue to bless and not curse.

Pray to God and ask him to help you with your speech.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

These passages show us that God wants us to control our speech, that we would have self-control with our tongue. The more we can bridle our tongue, the more we will be able to bridle our entire body (James 3:2).

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain​

Definition: Taking the name of the Lord in vain, in short, is falsely bearing his name. It is either to misuse God's name or misrepresent his name.

We are commanded to not misuse the name of the Lord

Deuteronomy 5:11
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

We see also that enemies of God also misuse his name

Psalm 139:20
They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.

In Leviticus we see the command to not offer child sacrifices to Molech, another god, which would profane the name of God.

Leviticus 18:21
You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

To further understand what taking the name of the Lord in vain is, let's look at how God views his name.

Exodus 3:13-15
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Here in Exodus we see that the name of God represents who he is like it does for each of us. If you were to misrepresent who God was to others, and they think falsely of who God is where they hear his name, that would be taking his name in vain because you are profaning his name.

See also this passage in Malachi about profaning the name of the Lord

Malachi 1:6-10
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

When Jesus is teaching the disciples how to pray, the first thing he does in the prayer is to honor the name of God by saying "hallowed be your name".

Matthew 6:9
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Taking the name of the Lord in vain includes saying OMG where we are just throwing his name around and using it however we wish. You are not hallowing, or honoring, God's name when you do this. When we saying OMG it must be done when praising his name, not when substituting his name for a curse word.

Here are a few others verses that relate to honoring God's name.

Leviticus 24:16
Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.

Leviticus 19:12
You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

Exodus 20:7
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Ultimately, not taking the name of the Lord in vain is about honoring God's holy name and properly representing that name, which is who he is.

The Effects of Our Speech​

Understanding the effects our speech has helps us understand the gravity it and why we need to control our tongues.

Positive​

  1. Healing (Proverbs 12:18)
  2. Turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1-2)
  3. Life (Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 18:20-21)
  4. Persuasive (Proverbs 25:15)
  5. Upbuilding (Ephesians 4:29)
  6. You become a good witness for Christ, innocent (Titus 2:7-8)

Negative​

  1. Stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1-2)
  2. Breaks the spirit (Proverbs 15:4)
  3. Leads people to more ungodliness (2 Timothy 2:16)
  4. You deceive yourself into thinking you are religious (James 1:26)
  5. Condemnation (James 5:12, Proverbs 18:7, Matthew 12:36)
  6. Ruin (Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 18:7)
  7. Defiles you (Matthew 5:11)
  8. Death (Proverbs 18:20-21)

Conclusion​

The one who controls his tongue controls his entire body (James 3:2). This shows us the importance of controlling our tongue, that it can control other parts of our body (James 3:3-5).

God is holy and we need to respect his name and honor him with everything that we say. We should represent him well by controlling our tongue, turning wicked speech into righteous speech (1 Timothy 4:12). Our tongue is powerful to the point where even "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). We need to use our speech to build one another up bringing life to them. We are responsible for watching every word we say and will be accountable for it (Matthew 12:36). So watch what you say and use your speech to bring honor and glory to God (Psalm 39:1).

Verse Reference​

1 Samuel 2:2-3
2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 37:30-31
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

Psalm 39:1
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 10:31-32
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Proverbs 11:12
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 15:1-2
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 15:4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 18:20-21
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 25:15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Matthew 5:11
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Matthew 12:36
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:29
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 5:4
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

2 Timothy 2:16
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Titus 2:7-8
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus 3:1-2
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

James 3:9-10
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:1-12
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Our tongue is such a small thing but is easy to use and has great power so we need to be careful in using it. We must be consistent in using our tongue to bless and not curse.

James 5:12
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Resources​

https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-does-it-really-mean-to-take-the-lords-name-in-vain/

https://www.radicallychristian.com/p/is-it-wrong-to-say-oh-my-god

https://www.gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html