What kinds of words should I speak?

Deuteronomy 6:4-7“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

Talk about God’s Word on a continual basis.

Genesis 50:21[Joseph] reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

Speak kind words to one another.

Job 16:5“If it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.”

Ephesians 4:29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Use words that build up others.

Proverbs 15:4Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 25:15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

Speak to one another with gentleness.

1 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Use your words to bless one another, even when others’ words injure you.

Zechariah 8:16“Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.”

Speak truthfully, in a way that promotes justice and peace.