As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
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How else can we speak like God?
That we henceforth be no more children, … but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things. (Ep 4.14-15)
We’re inclined to speak in ways that benefit ourselves. We want to win the argument. We want to defend our choices. We want to tell a good story—better than the other guy’s—and be the center of attention.
“Since the verb “gossip” could literally mean “to whisper,” I looked up “whisper” in Proverbs to add some thoughts. Then I added some further thoughts from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the New Testament. So, here are some word-study-guided reminders from the Bible about our speech.” - David Huffstutler
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We’ve surveyed how God speaks. Should we seek to speak in similar ways? And if so, specifically how?
Let me start with the “should we?” question.
Back to the beginning.
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And now, in the New Testament, God speaks in a way he never has before.
He speaks in person, visibly, incarnately, powerfully.
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We’re looking at God’s speech as a model for our own. The previous post ended with God speaking of delivering his people Israel from their Egyptian taskmasters, and of his keeping that promise through the plagues.
After crossing the Red Sea—miraculously—Israel travels to Mount Sinai, where they will meet God and receive the Law of Moses.
Read the series.
Do you have trouble with your mouth?
I do. And I always have. Since birth.
Really.
There are few things worse than saying something that you regret, whether immediately or eventually.
How should we then speak?
I’d like to take a few posts to meditate on that.
And I’d like to begin by considering someone who speaks, and who speaks well.
The Bible begins with a speech act:
“Words have immense power—power to do such good and power to do such harm. Words can strengthen the weak or crush them, comfort the sorrowful or grieve them, relieve the burdened or weigh them down all the more. Words can be a taste of life or a savor of death” - Challies
“While individuals reacting poorly are responsible for their poor choices, those who provoked such responses are also responsible.” - P&D
“It’s a very straightforward and helpful exercise to take Paul’s words [1 Corinthians 13:4-6] and apply them to what we are about to speak or write….Is what I’m about to say/write kind? Is it arrogant or rude? Is it resentful? Is it patient?” - Tim McNight
“The Latin term ad hominem literally means ‘to the man.’ … ‘attacking the person of a source rather than his or her qualifications or reliability, or the actual argument he or she makes.’” - Ref21
Discussion