Articles
Always His in Our Speech
Proverbs 27:14 says, “Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.” The words we say are important, but also is the way that we express them. While interacting with others, we may not realize all the non-verbal cues that can lead to potential miscommunications: such as punctuation used while texting, our tone of voice, and facial expressions. As disciples of the Lord, we should be mindful of the ways we are communicating.
When we are careless with our communication, God’s truth can be undermined by our attitudes. James 1:19-20 expresses this, “ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Paul expands on this in Ephesians 4:29 because he adds that our communication must bring glory to God. Therefore, our message should be appropriate for the given situation and encouraging to all.
Everyone has biases in their communication patterns, but God is impartial. Everyone we speak to is His beloved child and created in His image. (Gen. 1:27) Our communication should not destroy, but lead others to Christ. It is written in Colossians 3,” But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips…Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Philippians 3:8-16 reminds us that nothing Earthly or physical can compare to the salvation and hope that is found in God. Reckless speech truly gains us nothing. Yet, it causes us to lose everything. Matthew 12:35-37 says, “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
