What the Bible says about Speech, Reckless
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Proverbs 23:19-21 A lack of self-control is commonly shown in lust, greed, gluttony, alcoholism, conceit, sexual sins, gossiping, violent quarreling, and false and reckless speech, and many other sins that Satan can tempt us to commit if we allow him. Martin G. Collins Self-Control Related Topics: Alcohol Abuse | Alcoholism | Conceit | Gluttony | Gossip | Quarreling | Quarrels | Self Control | Sexual Immorality | Sexual Sins | Speech, False | Speech, Reckless

Romans 1:26-32 What an indictment! Additionally, the moral slippage resulting from misconceptions about God affects dress: immodesty becomes common; language: speech becomes filthy and coarse; the arts: entertainment becomes base; family life: the home becomes divided—and the entire culture degenerates. John W. Ritenbaugh Seeking God (Part One): Our Biggest Problem Related Topics: Immodesty | Immorality | Moral Standards | Morality | Seeking God | Speech | Speech, Reckless | Speech, Vile and Filthy

Philippians 4:8 What we think about will reveal itself in what we say. A mind fed by godly wisdom can follow this advice and control that most wild of all members, the tongue. As we grow in that great wisdom, our words will become fresh and reliable. We will lose the sharp edge from our tongues. Our speech will not be duplicitous, like grapes growing on a fig tree or bitter waters emerging from a freshwater spring. Once we emerge out of the ruts of human habit in our communication, we will truly begin to express what is true, noble, pure, lovely, and good. Our words will convey virtue and offer praise to God, uplifting those who hear us. As James ends his third chapter, "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18), so will be the results of our efforts. Righteousness will come to fruition in an atmosphere of peace. Staff Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part Two) Related Topics: Communication | Communication among Friends | Communication, Godly | Fruit of Righteousness | Fruits of God's Holy Spirit | Fruits of Righteousness | Fruits of the Spirit | Speech | Speech, Christ-like | Speech, False | Speech, Godly | Speech, Reckless | Tongue, Control of

James 3:1 James begins with a piece of general advice that leads to his main discussion of the use of the tongue. God holds us all accountable for what we have learned as well as how we instruct others. In the various situations of life, we are often both receiving instruction and giving instruction, so he warns that we need to examine ourselves closely and realize that God holds those accountable who would instruct or correct others, whether toward the brethren, our mates, our children, or our friends. Staff Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part One) Related Topics: Self Control | Self Examination | Speech | Speech, Reckless | Tongue | Tongue, Control of | Words, Controlling our | Words, Power of

James 3:1-8 What hope do we have as men if "no man can tame the tongue"? Mothers once washed their children's mouths out with soap for using bad language or expressing verbal disrespect. The entertainment media have made such words part of our households, schools, and workplaces. James' admonishment is not a soap-and-water application or a fatherly reprimand. His statements are blunt instruments: The tongue is as a vicious animal, whose words are capable of causing ultimate destruction, and it is as a creature of such monstrous character that no man can tame it. As a kid, I loved to play "Cowboys and Indians," and when I heard "no man can tame the tongue," I imagined a tongue running around like a loose calf, with a cowboy on horseback riding frantically, trying to rope it down and tame it. It is a silly scene, but even now when I think about it, how accurately it pictures the feeling of trying to run after my own words and tame them after I have let them loose! Staff Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part One) Related Topics: Self Control | Self Examination | Speech | Speech, False | Speech, Reckless | Speech, Vile and Filthy | Taming the Tongue | Tongue | Tongue, Control of | Tongue, Taming the | Words, Controlling our | Words, Power of

James 3:17-18 James concludes chapter 3 by describing the wisdom that comes only from Almighty God. It is the bit and rudder by which we can effectively gain control of our speech. Godly wisdom begins in the heart, replacing the self-indulgent human motivations with purity, peacefulness, gentleness, yieldedness, mercy, goodness, fairness, and sincerity. Words that employ these godly attributes contrast to the raging winds that fan flames of war toward total destruction. The apostle does not allow us any time to spend in the middle; our words should be fresh and trustworthy, without the bitter and shocking elements of a sharp tongue. In Matthew 12:34, Christ says, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The real issue is that our words reveal the essence of our hearts. They will tell whether we are motivated by the earthly wisdom of human desire or by the godly wisdom of the fruit of the Spirit. Unkind words reveal an unkind heart, and kind words, a kind heart. Staff Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part Two) Related Topics: Abundance of the Heart | Bit as Metaphor | God's Wisdom | Godly Communication | Godly Wisdom | Speech | Speech, Christ-like | Speech, Godly | Speech, Reckless | Tongue as Fire | Tongue, Control of | Wisdom | Wisdom of God | Wisdom of Man | Words, Power of

 

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