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.”

Joshua 1:8“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Talk about God’s Word regularly. The Hebrew phrase God used to instruct Joshua translates literally to something like “This book shall not depart from your mouth.” This might seem like it means not to talk about God’s Word when it actually means just the opposite. God’s Word ought to be constantly on our lips; it should be the default setting for our conversations.

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

Speak kind words to others. Joseph had just assured his fearful brothers that he really held no grudge against them for their earlier mistreatment. The best kind words you can say to others are words that demonstrate you understand what they are feeling.

Job 16:5“I [Job] 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 others up. Job found it frustrating that his friends, who had come to him initially with helpful comfort, became accusers and verbal abusers rather than continuing their encouraging presence. Paul reminds us that an important consideration in our speech to others should be a sensitivity to the special needs of our audience.

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

Calmly and consistently speaking the truth accomplishes good, while manipulative and deceitful speech destroys friends and relationships.

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

Speak to others with patience and gentleness—particularly in times of conflict. Often the timing and aptness of a comment has a powerful effect for good. Wisdom can help us to know what to say in any situation, and also when it’s best to deliver the message.

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 others, even when others’ words injure you. Retaliate with grace, and even when people speak evil into your life, speak and deliver good into theirs—not because they deserve it, but because you are carrying out the desires of your Lord.

Exodus 20:16“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.”

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

Always speak truthfully in a way that promotes justice and peace.