. SPEECH. "A man may think he is religious, but if he has no control over his tongue, he is deceiving himself; that man's religion is futile." (James 1:26 NEB).
RESTRAINING THE TONGUE. "So with the tongue. It is a small member but it can make huge claims... the tongue is in effect a fire. It represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell... no man can subdue the tongue." (From James 3:5-8 NEB).
THE SOURCE OF ONE' S WORDS. "…For the words that the mouth utters come from the overflowing of the heart. A good man produces good from the store of good within himself; and an evil man from evil within produces evil. I tell you this: there is not a thoughtless word that comes from men's lips but they will have to account for it on the day of Judgement. For out of your own mouth you will be acquitted; out of your own mouth you will be condemned." (From Matt 12:34-37 NEB). "No bad language must pass your lips, but only what is good and helpful to the occasion, so that it brings a blessing to those who hear it." (Eph 4:29 NEB).
ABUSIVE SPEECH.
"But now you must yourselves lay aside all
anger, passion, malice, cursing, (1)
filthy talk
DISPARAGING OTHERS. "Let nothing go forth unrestrained from your mouth, for a God of knowledge Jehovah is, and by Him deeds are rightly estimated." (From 1 Sam 2:3). "Moreover, do not pay attention to everything men say… for you know very well how many times you yourself have disparaged others." (Eccles 7:21,22 NEB). "A straightforward answer is as good as a kiss of friendship." (Prov 24:26 NEB).
WHEN TO SPEAK. "Do not answer without first listening, and do not interrupt when another is speaking." (Eccus 11:8 NEB). "Do not find fault before examining the evidence; think first, and criticize afterwards." (Eccus 11:7 NEB). "To answer a question before you have heard it out is both stupid and insulting." (Prov 18:13 NEB). "Fools speak before they think; wise men think first and speak afterwards." (Eccus 21:26 NEB). "Never remain silent when a word might put things right, for wisdom shows itself by speech." (Eccus 4:23,24 NEB).
WHEN NOT TO SPEAK. "Do not let a man's insolence bring you to your feet; he will only sit waiting to trap you with your own words." (Eccus 8:11 NEB).
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