CHRISTIAN LIVING – Part 1.5

Hebrews 12:14 NKJV

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

IX. OUR MANNER OF SPEECH

A. Christians are instructed in Scripture to control their tongue and speech. Our behavior is influenced and affected by our communication.

• Proverbs 21:23 “23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.”

• 1 Timothy 5:13 “13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”

• James 3:2 “2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”

• Philippians 2:14 “14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,”

• 1 Peter 4:15 “15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”

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B. There are several types of speech and verbal behavior that Christians are expressly taught to avoid.

1. Tale bearing and gossip.

• Psalm 101:5 “5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.”

• Leviticus 19:16 “16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.”

• Proverbs 10:18 “18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.”

• 1 Timothy 5:13 “13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”

2. Murmuring and complaining.

• Philippians 2:14 “14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,”

• 1 Corinthians 10:10 “10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

3. Spreading discord, strife or conflict.

• Proverbs 6:19 “19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”

• Romans 16:17 “17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

4. Swearing oaths.

• James 5:12 “12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”

5. Filthy Communication.

• Colossians 3:8 “8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”

6. Cursing and reviling.

• James 3:8–10 “8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

• Romans 12:14 “14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 “9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

7. Lying or bearing false witness.

• Exodus 20:16 “16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

• Mark 10:19 “19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ””

• Colossians 3:9 “9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,”

• Revelation 21:8 “8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””

8. Idle words.

• Matthew 12:36–37 “36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””

• James 1:19 “19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”

9. Vulgar talking and unclean humor.

• Ephesians 5:3–4 “3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

10. Using the Lord’s name in vain.

• Exodus 20:7 “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.”

The Dictionary of American Slang by Wentworth and Flexnor says that the word “gee” originated in 1857 and is a shortened version of the name, Jesus.

The Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English by Partridge states that the word “gosh” originated in 1757 and is a corruption of the word, God.

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, the word “golly” is a euphemism for the word God.

• Psalm 19:14 “14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

• Psalm 39:1 “1 I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.””

• Colossians 4:6 “6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

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