Gracious Speech

I'm not the poster person for perfect speech online or offline.

I may wish I was, but I'm not.  

I still need to be reminded about what the Bible says about speech. 

I also know that if I loved God more, trusted Him more, and had right thinking about Him, then it would change my attitude which would change the way I respond to people.

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 NASB (1977)

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

 Ephesians 4:29 NASB

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.  

Psalm 19:14 NASB

To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 NASB

Words show what is in the heart.

It troubles me that I still have such negative sinful irritableness and thoughts even as a Christian whether or not I verbalize them.

It is something I desire to see change.  It isn't just what I say.  It's the heart that needs to change more.

What we are in the heart often comes out in what we say and how we act.

Anxiety, irritation, anger, impatience, rebelliousness, doubting God's goodness and care to me, and many other sinful type of things can infiltrate my mind.

I pray for God to change me.  I realize that putting things into my mind (that are Scriptural and true and good) is something God will use to combat sinful thinking.  It does, but I have so, so, so far to go in sanctification.  

For we all stumble in many ways. 

If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 

James 3:2 NASB  

(More from James 3 about the tongue with the LSB Version HERE.)

“The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. 

“And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. 

“For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”  

Matthew 12:35-37 NASB

On Swearing & Misuse & Abuse of God's Name

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; so that you may not fall under judgment. 

 James 5:12 NASB

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. 

 Exodus 20:7 NASB

This would include the way people (even some Christians) misuse God's name by using it lightly (even using initials).  God is holy, and so His name should also be treated holy.

God knows our sinful thoughts about Him even when we don't say something out loud.

Speaking Well Even When Persecuted

Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.
Romans 12:14 NASB

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:44-45 NASB

Gossip & Slander is Wrong

Online, people often share things that may or may not be true.  People also can say things about others that destroy their reputation (online or offline).

It is something that we should try to be very careful about, because the Bible warns about gossip (whisperers, talebearers) and slander.

He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, 

Therefore do not associate with a gossip. 

 Proverbs 20:19 NASB

Mike Riccardi did a message on the topic called "How To Kill Your Neighbor."

If you have the time, it is worth hearing.

My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. 

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 NASB

Bonus Link:

Speech Seasoned with Salt (GTY).

(P.S.: I likely posted on this topic before, but it's good for me to review it anyway.)