SPEAKING

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Key Verse

  • For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses]. James 3:2 AMP

How to speak?

1. As one speaking GOD's words

2. Graciously

  • Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 BSB

3. Edifying words

  • Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Other versions

  • Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 NASB

4. With carefully chosen words

  • Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving] James 1:19 AMP
  • To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23 ESV
Other versions
 
  • My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger James 1:19 BSB
See also
 
  • the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’ ” Exodus 33:5 BSB

5. At the right time

  • Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a word spoken at the proper time. Proverbs 25:11 NASB

6. With gentle answers

Other versions 
 
  • By patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance]. Proverbs 25:15 AMP

7. With less words

  • I will muzzle my mouth While the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1 AMP
  • When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 HCSB
  • Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:28 AMP

  • He who guards his mouth and his tongue Guards himself from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 AMP

Other versions 

  • When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.  Proverbs 10:19 AMP
  • Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 BSB

8. Speak evil of no one

Other versions

  • To slander or abuse or speak evil of no one, to avoid being contentious, to be forbearing (yielding, gentle, and conciliatory), and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody. Titus 3:2 AMPC

9. Cautiously

  • The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 15:28 NASB
  • A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. Proverbs 29:11 NKJV
  • Do you see a person who is hasty with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 29:20 NASB

Insights

1. GOD can give you the right words

  • Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel Ephesians 6:19 BSB
  • When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.” Luke 12:11-12 BSB

2. GOD confirms the words of His servants

Other versions

  • [The Lord] Who confirms the word of His servant and performs the counsel of His messengers … Isaiah 44:26 AMPC
Word = decree
Confirms = accomplish make {good} perform succeed
Read: COMMAND

3. What to Speak

  • Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16 NKJV
  • The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted). Proverbs 10:32 AMP
  • The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued) Proverbs 10:20 AMP
Example

  • They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
    And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. Luke 24:14-15 BSB

4. How words can ensnare

  • For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37 NKJV
See also 
 
  • The king was distressed, but because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given her. Matthew 14:9 AMP
  • Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. Genesis 24:50 NKJV
  • But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.” Genesis 31:24 NKJV

5. Power of the tongue

  • The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing Proverbs 10:11 AMP

Prayer

  • May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 BSB

Footnotes

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  1. Note the word "if" implying not speaking as the default position.
  2. 6965 קוּם [qûm] \koom\ A primitive root; to rise (in various {applications} {literally} {figuratively} intensively and causatively): - {abide} {accomplish} X be {clearer} {confirm} {continue} {decree} X be {dim} {endure} X {enemy} {enjoin} get {up} make {good} {help} {hold} (help to) lift up ({again}) {make} X but {newly} {ordain} {perform} {pitch} raise ({up}) rear ({up}) {remain} (a-) rise (up) ({again} {against}) rouse {up} set ({up}) (e-) {stablish} (make to) stand ({up}) stir {up} {strengthen} {succeed} ({as-} make) sure ({-ly}) (be) up ({-hold} -rising).
  3. 1697 דּבר [dâbâr] \daw-bawr'\
    From 1696; a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause: - {act} {advice} {affair} {answer} X any such ({thing}) + because {of} {book} {business} {care} {case} {cause} certain {rate} + {chronicles} {commandment} X commune ({-ication}) + concern {[-ing]} + {confer} {counsel} + {dearth} {decree} {deed} X {disease} {due} {duty} {effect} + {eloquent} {errand} [evil favoured-] {ness} + {glory} + {harm} {hurt} + {iniquity} + {judgment} {language} + {lying} {manner} {matter} {message} [no] {thing} {oracle} X {ought} X {parts} + {pertaining} + {please} {portion} + {power} {promise} {provision} {purpose} {question} {rate} {reason} {report} {request} X (as hast) {said} {sake} {saying} {sentence} + {sign} + {so} some {[uncleanness]} somewhat to {say} + {song} {speech} X {spoken} {talk} {task} + {that} X there {done} thing ({concerning}) {thought} + {thus} {tidings} what {[-soever]} + {wherewith} {which} {word} work.