Category: Speech

Our text begins a section that emphasizes the proper response to God’s grace. We are brought forth by the word of truth, How do we respond?

We listen to God’s word, “swift to hear”! Listening rather than talking is a good response in just about every situation. It is especially important when considering the source of information is God Himself. We exercise care in our speech, “slow to speak.” In James 3:1-12, the writer shows the danger to be found in the use of the tongue. This is especially so when words are uttered from anger “slow to wrath.”

Our purpose in life is to express the wisdom we receive from God in our own words and actions. Wrath precludes this. It takes discipline on our part. One who is “slow” is one who has control over his words and actions. It is contrasted with being “swift” to hear God.  Used only here, the word swift shows a man who does not hesitate to listen to and apply God’s word in his life.

There are three initial illustrations that are used to describe the nature of the tongue in James 3.  Interestingly, the first two illustrations are positive in nature.  The first, “Indeed we put bits in horses mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body” (3). The second, “Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires” (4). Continue reading “The Tongue – Controlled and Uncontrolled” →

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).

According to these words from Paul, (representative of many other passages that affirm the same), Christians have responsibilities regarding how we interact with those outside the body of Christ. Elsewhere Paul wrote, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). In our passage in Colossians, this passage instructs us in our speech.

Continue reading “The Patternists: Walk in Wisdom” →

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6).

Paul’s instruction here is coupled with the previous exhortation, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside” (vs. 5). So, the graceful speech under consideration here has special application to interaction with those who are not Christians. Consider the instructions…

• “Let your speech always be with grace.” The word “grace” here is defined by Thayer, “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm.” The Christian is to be inoffensive in his manner of speech. That does not mean that the gospel of Christ will not offend. What it does mean is that such offense, if it comes, is the fault of the hearer, not the speaker. Our purpose is not to win arguments or to tell people off – it is to plant and water that God may give “the increase” (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6).
• “Seasoned with salt.” Albert Barnes makes a good point about this. He notes that although we don’t always talk about religion and our faith, piety should always be “sprinkled” in our conversations. In other words, our faith should always be the spice of our communication with others. They hear what we say, and see Christ in us.
• “That you may know how to answer each one.” Three things to note here. 1) We can’t “know” unless we have studied. 2) We can pray for wisdom (cf. James 1:5) with the confidence that God will supply us with what we lack. 3) Practice leads to proficiency. In order to get good at our spiritual communication with the lost, we have to share the saving gospel with them.

So, let’s get to it!

The lesson first identifies properly what “pleasant words” are, and then shows the beneficial nature of such speech in the lives of God’s children.

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“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).

In our conversations with others (both Christians, and those we seek to influence), Paul gives good instructions. First, our speech is to be infused with grace. This is Christ reflected in us. It is not so much that every conversation must be about religious things. Rather, our faith and righteousness must always be evident in what we say.

Second, it is to be seasoned with salt. This indicates that our conversations should be palatable, sprinkled with wisdom, spiritual insight, graciousness and kindness. When others talk with us, we want them to be attracted to the faith we promote, not be put off of it as one who rejects the blandness of unseasoned food.

Always remember, our purpose in interacting with others is to both save ourselves, and them! (cf. 1 Timothy 4:16)..

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Language is a problematic thing for Christians. They find themselves, time and again, caught in sin because of their tongue. Truly James knew of what he wrote when he penned the following: “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). Gossip, slander, idle words, profanity, taking the Lord’s name in vain — all of these corrupt fruits of the tongue cause brethren to sin. It is important we remember that “no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). If we keep a tight rein on our tongues, we can control them. But, we can never assume that we are beyond the danger of sinning with our speech.

One problem area of speech is that of exclamations. It is a natural thing when one is surprised, excited, angry or hurt to exclaim. Exclamations are the words and short phrases that we blurt out without forethought. And that is the problem, we engage our mouths without engaging our minds.

Continue reading “The Problem with Euphemisms” →

We all can be inconsistent in speech, sometimes saying what is needful and helpful, and sometimes sinning with our tongue. This “ought not to be so” (cf. James 3:10). Some good and bad speech is discussed in the lesson.

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Primarily using Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle indicates that spiritual soundness must include being sound in the faith, in personal faith, in speech, and in moral conduct.

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A practical lesson from Dennis Scroggins, teaching the importance of purity in speech.

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God has given clear instructions on our communication and speech. Our communication must not be corrupt, we must not be guilty of evil speaking. Rather we must speak the Lord’s will, praise God and proclaim his blessings. Also, our speech toward others must be honest and faithful.

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AOTS Number 29

While vindictive speech may be applauded by men, it is not acceptable to God, and will in the end damage the mud slinger more than his target.

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AOTS Number 26

The tongue is stated in Proverbs 18:21 to have the power of “death and life.” All kinds of sin is possible with the tongue, but it also can be a font of kindness and healing.

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Podcast Number 47

The third chapter of James’ epistle establishes both the difficulty, and the importance of bridling the tongue. It is an unruly evil, that left unchecked, can destroy a man.

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