Words

Medical experts tell us that the average human tongue is about 3.3 inches (8.5 cm) long for men and slightly smaller for women.¹ Yet, as small as this little muscle is, we can understand why the Spirit inspired James to write, “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” (Jas 3:5, LSB). Setting aside personal experience as proof, the Bible is filled with evidence that the tongue is a stumbling block for all of us.

By Charlie Olson

Words matter. I’m sure that’s not a surprise to anyone reading this article. Throughout our lives, we either reap the benefits of wise words or the consequences of the wrong words. We’re graded on our words in school, our relationships are built or destroyed by our words, and most of us even see our careers impacted by our use of words. Far more impor­tant than all these is the knowledge that our words matter to God. The Bible has much to say about our words, their impact, and our responsi­bility with them.

Read the series.

Well, we’ve covered some ground here. The Bible has a lot to say about sound speech. We have a lot of things to consider before we go shooting our mouths off.

Recall that we began this series by reviewing, briefly, how God speaks, under the assumption that as in other things, we ought to pattern our behavior, as much as possible, after his.

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Gentleness

Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1P 3.15).

Here the KJV uses the word meekness. Outside of Christian circles, influenced by the biblical language, our culture doesn’t use the word much. When we hear it, some are inclined to think of Casper Milquetoast, or a hen-pecked husband, or the guy the bullies kick sand on at the beach.

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Thankfully

We live under the shadow of God’s providence—his provision, his direction, his protection. All of our life springs from that truth. So when we speak to him, we should speak thankfully.

And when we speak to others, we should speak thankfully as well, because their presence in our lives, and the things their presence supplies, are all acts of God’s providence too.

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How else can we speak like God?

Lovingly

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.

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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.