A Christian’s Speech
Scriptures:
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word (language, all speech, the act of speaking, discourse) or deed, do it all (any, every one) in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt (rotten, putrified, corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out, of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless) word (KJV: communication - language, all speech, the act of speaking, discourse) proceed (go forth, go out, depart, to project, to flow forth) out of your mouth, but what is good (of good constitution or nature, useful, pleasant, agreeable, excellent, distinguished, upright, honorable) for necessary edification (the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness), that it may impart grace (that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech) to the hearers.”
Colossians 3:8
“But now (at this very moment) you yourselves are to put off (put aside or away) all (each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything) these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy (slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name), filthy language (foul speaking, low and obscene speech) out of (away from) your mouth.”
Ephesians 5:3-7
“But fornication and all (each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything) uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named (to name, to utter, to make mention of the name) among (in, by) you, as is fitting (KJV: becometh- to stand out, to be conspicuous, to be eminent, seemly, fit) for saints; neither filthiness (obscenity), nor foolish (impious, godless) talking, nor coarse jesting (pleasantry, humour, facetiousness, scurrility - making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation, ribaldry - referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way, low jesting), which are not fitting (KJV: convenient - to have come up to, arrived at, to reach to, to pertain to what is due, duty, as was fitting), but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean (in a moral sense: unclean in thought and life) person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of (through, by means of) these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will). Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
James 1:26
“If anyone among you thinks he is religious (fearing or worshipping God), and does not bridle (to lead by a bridle, to guide, hold in check, restrain) his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless (devoid of force, truth, success, result, useless, of no purpose).”
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever (as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever) things are true (loving the truth, speaking the truth, truthful), whatever things are noble (KJV: honest - to be venerated for character, honorable), whatever things are just (righteous, observing divine laws, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God, innocent, faultless, guiltless, used of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God, and who therefore needs no rectification in the heart or life, approved of or acceptable of God) whatever things are pure (exciting reverence, venerable, sacred, pure from carnality, chaste, modest), whatever things are lovely (acceptable, pleasing), whatever things are of good report (sounding well), if there is any virtue (a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action, any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity) and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
1 Peter 1:16
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”
Matthew 12:34-37
“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good (of good constitution or nature, useful, pleasant, agreeable, excellent, distinguished, upright, honorable) man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil (bad, of a bad nature or condition, wicked) man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle (free from labour, at leisure, lazy, shunning the labour which one ought to perform) word (any sound produced by the voice and having definite meaning, speech, discourse, subject matter of speech, thing spoken of) men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words (speech, discourse, the act of speaking) you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Colossians 4:6
“Walk (regulate ones life, conduct oneself) in wisdom toward (to the advantage of, in regards to) those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech (speech, discourse, the act of speaking) always (at all times, ever) be with grace (that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech, benefit, bounty, goodwill), seasoned with salt (wisdom and grace exhibited in speech), that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Quotes:
“A Christian's speech reveals more of his inward character than any other action. In fact, it often betrays our true, inward man”
“The final category under consideration is vulgarity and innuendo. Again, we are considering both an extreme and milder form of the same sin. Included in this category are: dirty jokes, sexual implications and undertones, filthy language referring to bodily functions or anatomy, and other inappropriate topics, which should not be publicly or lightly discussed. Whereas vulgar speech contains direct and explicit references, innuendo contains hints, winks, gestures, facial expressions, and other subtle forms of communication, which quietly express vulgar thoughts. It is this subtle vulgarity and crude speech that makes up the vast majority of "adult humor", which often sails over the heads of innocent and naive children. It is this language that causes adults to wrinkle their mouths and snicker softly as another hints at explicit themes without actually articulating them. As before, we find that the Scriptures strongly condemn this type of language:
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 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 5:1-4)
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)
A Christian is to have his mind set on higher, nobler, spiritual things. Therefore such communication should not be appealing to him. Neither, should it be something upon which he dwells and is therefore even able to imagine, much less utter. Whether spoken directly, or implied through innuendo, the ideas actually communicated by this "filthy language" are the same and are therefore in error.”
In Conclusion:
In the above Scripture references, the Lord ranks crude speech with obscenity and blasphemy. Since elsewhere in Scripture we are commanded to be set apart from the world, it is equally important to be set apart in speech. And since the Lord ranks unclean, immodest and crass speaking with fornication and blasphemy, we should not partake in these things as Christians. We are called to a higher form of communication: one that brings glory to God and edifies the hearer. Using cultural slang and crude terms as a Christian does not set us apart but rather blends us in, making us no different than they. Using the world’s crass lingo is no different, based on Scripture, than using profanity or blaspheming. Instead, we are to meditate on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report. These things are to fill our hearts, and Jesus said that out of our mouths comes what is in our hearts. If this is true, then out of the mouth of Christians should proceed words that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report. It is obvious from the verses cited above that God doesn't consider crude language to be any of these. Therefore, great thought should be given to our speech.
To speak specifically to females: this command is compounded, since in addition to these commands to all Christians, women are specifically commanded to clothe themselves in modesty, propriety and moderation and to have a gentle and quiet spirit. This is referring not just to physical clothing, but to every aspect of a female’s life. Women are called to be ladies who moderate their tone and speech as well as their attitude and dress. Especially in this culture where men and women are androgynous, it is vital for Christian women to be Biblical and set apart from the world in terms of speech. This does not mean being better-than-thou, prissy, or haughty. However, it does entail refinement, discretion, self-discipline and being set apart from the culture. Distinction in speech is just as noticeable as distinction in dress for a woman.
As an aside, this by no means omits humor. Since we are made in the image of God, humor is therefore an attribute of God. However, just like all other areas of our lives, our humor is fallen and wicked. We have to refine it according to Scripture so that we as Christians are set apart from the world’s unredeemed humor and crude language. In addition, jokes about crude topics such as bodily functions is the common topic of children. Paul states:
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
So, in conclusion, there is no hard and fast rule I am seeking to push here. Instead, I want to communicate the importance of speech in the life of a Christian, and ask you to pray about where the lines must be drawn in your own personal life. How will you apply this principle we found throughout Scripture in your life?
