Ephesians 4:29 is The Standard! Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. -Amplified, Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.
9th Commandment - do not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16). What we say about and to others is very important in God’s eyes.
What comes out of your mouth proceeds from the heart - Matthew 15:18. We must make it our aim to keep our heart with all diligence, because the heart is KEY! focus on thinking and dwelling on what pleases the Lord - Psalm 19:14. Our minds are like a tape player - we tend to hit rewind and play things over and over. What do you allow your mind to dwell on?
~Scriptures on The Tongue~
Even before a word is on my tongue, You know it - Psalm 139:4
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! - Psalm 141:3
Death and life are in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding - Proverbs 17:27
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble - Proverbs 21:23
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26 (When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. -the Message)
A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things- Proverbs 15:28
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing - Proverbs 12:18 (don't wound others with your words!)
Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.” - Proverbs 26:18-19 (even those words said in jest, come from the heart)
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire (the Message)- Proverbs 15:1
James 3:1-12, the tongue, like a raging fire. it cannot be tamed.
prayer - Psalm 17:3, I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Do you tear down or build up when you communicate? to others? blessings. curses. To God? pray Scripture. meditate on His Word. To yourself? speak the truth in your heart (Psalm 15). don't "curse" yourself by saying things like, I'm worthless. or, I don't like myself. or, I'll never succeed. Speak words of LIFE to yourself!
The key to personal change - is time with God. It can happen no other way. You become like the people you hang out with. -Doug Small
