What other scriptures emphasize the importance of thoughtful speech and humility? Anchored by Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be hasty to speak, and do not let your heart be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” Why God Cares About Our Words • Words reveal the heart (Luke 6:45). • Words can wound or heal (Proverbs 18:21). • Words have eternal weight (Matthew 12:36-37). Because speech is so powerful, Scripture repeatedly blends the call for measured words with the call for humble hearts. Scriptures That Call for Thoughtful Speech • Proverbs 10:19 — “Where words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” • Proverbs 15:1 — “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” • Proverbs 17:27 — “A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” • Proverbs 13:3 — “He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.” • Psalm 141:3 — “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” • James 1:19 — “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • James 3:5-6 — “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts great things… it sets the course of one’s life on fire.” • Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need.” • Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Scriptures That Call for Humility • Philippians 2:3-4 — “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” • Micah 6:8 — “…to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” • 1 Peter 5:5 — “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” • Romans 12:3 — “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment.” • Proverbs 11:2 — “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.” • Proverbs 15:33 — “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Where Speech and Humility Meet • James 3:13 — “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” • Matthew 12:36-37 — Accountability for every careless word keeps us humble before God. • Ecclesiastes 5:2 — Recognizing God’s greatness (“God is in heaven”) produces humble, measured speech (“let your words be few”). • Colossians 4:6 — Gracious, “seasoned” words flow from a heart that values others above self. • Proverbs 15:1 — A gentle answer requires both restraint and lowliness of spirit. Living It Out • Pause before speaking; ask, “Will these words build up or tear down?” • Practice listening twice as much as speaking (James 1:19). • Memorize one “guard-your-tongue” proverb each week. • Invite the Lord daily to “set a guard” over your mouth (Psalm 141:3). • Cultivate humility by regularly thanking God for His mercy and by serving others quietly (Philippians 2:3-4). |
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