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Commu l1icatiol1/S peecb d
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See also Lying, Gossip
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1. Positive qualities to develop in speech.
Edification (building up of others) &:
Ephesians 4:29 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.
Gentleness II:i
Proverbs 25: 15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and
a gentle tongue can break a bone. Ei
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COMMUNICATION/SPEECH
Speaking truth
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and
speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Slow to speak
James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone
should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God I
desires. .
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. r I
Speaking knowledge
Proverbs 20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips
that speak knowledge are a rarejewel.
Appropriate words
Proverbs 25:11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in
settings of silver.
Proverbs 15:23 A man findsjoy in giving an apt reply-and how
good is a timely word!
Kindness
Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind
word cheers him up.
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2. Negative qualities to avoid in speech.
I Obscene,foolish, raw jokes
Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or
I coarsejoking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
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COMMUNICATION/SPEECH
Ephesians 4:29 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.
Falsehood, lying
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood
and speak truthfully to his neighbor.
Answering before listening
Proverbs 18: 13 He who answers before listening-that is his folly
and his shame.
Foolish, stupid arguments
2 Timothy 2:23-24 Don't have anything to do with foolish and
stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And
the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to
everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Slander
Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to
slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true
humility toward all men.
Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling
and slander, along with every form of malice.
Lack of control
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not
keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion
is worthless.
3. Speech can both grieve and please the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:29-30 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out
of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up
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according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And
do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption.
4. Summary of the tongue's power potential.
James 3:5-10 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but
it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by
a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the
parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course
of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals,
birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have
been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless
evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and
Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's
likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My
brothers, this should not be.
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