KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORTHLESS CHATTER AND WISE SPEECH

“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.”—Proverbs 12:14

Worthless chatter is any speech that does not produce life.  Jesus said that His words are Spirit and they are life, “It is the spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).  However, the world’s standard for speech is vastly different than God’s.  For example, by the world’s standard’s it is acceptable to take the Lord’s name in vain, curse profusely, to use flattery for personal gain, speak deceitfully and murmur and complain.

 

Two basic guidelines can be used for God's principles of wise speech.

 

The first is that our speech should lead to edification, encourages, and builds up,  "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).  Additionally, speech should extend grace to others, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Colossians 4:6).  Our words are to cool down heated arguments, "A soft answer turns away wrath; but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).  They are to be a delight to those who hear them, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it  breaks the spirit. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of  silver" (Proverbs 15: 4, 23; 25:11).

 

Lastly, our speech should be characterized with thankfulness, have a good attitude and be free from murmuring and complaining.  "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor  coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5: 3-4).  And our speech should be keeping with an attitude that is becoming as a child of God., "Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance os saints in the light" (Colossians 1:12).  We are to be, "Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7).  "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:15-17).  Murmuring and complaining are not to be a characteristic of a Christians, "Do all things without complaining and disputing,...you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15). 

 

A person will speak wisely who has a desire to please God and show His grace toward others.  Therefore, we must know the difference between worthless chatter and wise speech.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for every idle word that has proceeded from my mouth and all worthless chatter.  I ask you to forgive me and to set a guard over my mouth.  I ask you to help me so that I speak that which is good and helpful to those who hear what I say, in Jesus Name.  Amen.