Wise Speech
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the
consequences. Prov 18:21
Watch your words and hold your tongue;
you’ll save yourself a lot of grief. Prov 21:23
MSG
Prov 10:19 (p.487)
• Gossip
A quarrelsome person starts fights
as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire
lights wood.
Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart. Prov 26:21-22
• Slander / Insults
Never slander a worker to the employer,
or the person will curse you, and you will pay for
it.
Some people curse their father
and do not thank their mother.
They are pure in their own eyes,
but they are filthy and unwashed. Prov 30:10-
• Lying
Prov 25:18 (also 12:19)
Just as damaging
as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
is someone who lies to a friend
and then says, “I was only joking.” Prov 26:1819
• Over-Promising
Prov 20:25 (also25:14)
• Flattery
To flatter friends
is to lay a trap for their feet. Prov 29:5
Prov 27:1-2
• Nagging
Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
Prov 21:9 MSG
People may cover their hatred with pleasant
words,
but they’re deceiving you.
They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
Their hearts are full of many evils. Prov 26:24-25
But the words you speak come from the heart—
that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come
evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual
immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are
what defile you. Matt 15:18-20
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry
heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matt
11:28
I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and
heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world
cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John
14:27
• Deal with your own anger first.
An angry person starts fights;
a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.
Pride ends in humiliation,
while humility brings honor. Prov 29:22-23
• Be willing to avoid or drop the argument.
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
only fools insist on quarreling. Prov 20:3
• Stay off substances.
Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.
Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. Prov
20:1
• Be gentle.
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare. Prov 15:1
• Deal with the issue.
Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out. Prov 17:14
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. Eph 4:29 NIV
• Encouraging
Prov 16:24
• Comforting
Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Prov 12:25
• Gentle
Prov 25:15
• Helpful
The lips of the wise give good advice;
the heart of a fool has none to give. Prov 15:7
• Correcting
Prov 27:5-6
• Careful
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil
things.
Prov 15:28 NASB
• Defend those in need
Prov 31:8
• Timely
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right
time! Prov 15:23
• A Reputation for Wise Words:
Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or
gold. Prov 22:1
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
the words of the wicked conceal violent
intentions. Prov 10:11
Wise Speech