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I read somewhere that 87% of everything we do during the day is communication related. Whether that statistic is accurate or not, we are a communication bound society. We’ll try to deal with the sources of bad and good speech as we address this topic in the book of James on our “Friendship Sundays” this September. In preparation, let’s do some thinking about our words and how they affect others.
On the first day of creation the Bible records these words, “And God said. . . ” (Gen. 1:3). This phrase is used ten times in Genesis 1. The song writer penned these words, “He spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psa. 33:9). God uses words. He acts using words. It is no wonder then that on the same day that Eve was fashioned out of man’s side, Adam spoke, “And the man said. . . ” (2:23). As creatures made in His image, we have the unique ability to communicate through the spoken word. Eve spoke to Adam, Adam spoke to Eve. There are millions of created plants and animals on the earth, but only men and women have this capability. The ability to speak is a singular human ability that we as image bearers possess; therefore, our speech should reflect His character. Unfortunately, early on, the serpent spoke and Adam and Eve spoke and they sinned. Our speech has been tainted ever since, John 8:44. As James tells us, taming the tongue is difficult, if not impossible, James 3. However, as new creatures in Christ, as those who have lost their lives, as believers who now live the life of Christ, we can change. We can live according to who we really are, Romans 6:12-13, and bear His image to His glory.
I’ve given a list of biblical references which exhort us and direct our use of the tongue. Nothing really fancy here – read, think on, and do.
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6
“He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.” Proverbs 22:11
Build up one another - Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Do not judge one another - Romans 14:13
Do not speak evil of one another - James 4:11
Do not murmur against one another - James 5:9
Do not bite and devour one another - Galatians 5:15
Do not provoke and envy one another - Galatians 5:26
Teach one another - Colossians 3:16
Admonish one another - Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16
Confess your sins to one another - James 5:16
Do not lie to one another - Colossians 3:9
Comfort one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11
Do not call each other names - Matthew 5:22
No exaggerations - Proverbs 27:18, 19
Do not keep a list of offenses, handle each offense as it comes up - 1 Corinthians 13:5
Do not intervene in the argument between two other people - Proverbs 26:17
Remember that we are all sinners -1 Corinthians 6:11
Think before saying anything - Proverbs 25:8
Be slow to anger and slow to speak - James 1:19
Hear the other person before you rebuke them - Proverbs 18:13
Use this phrase: help me understand - Proverbs 18:13
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