Chastity, often understood as the virtue of purity and self-control, extends beyond physical actions to encompass the realm of speech. The Bible emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity in our words, reflecting a heart aligned with God's holiness. This entry explores the biblical foundation for chastity in speech, highlighting key scriptures and principles.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently underscores the significance of our words, recognizing their power to build up or tear down. In Ephesians 4:29 , the Apostle Paul instructs believers: "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This verse calls for speech that edifies and imparts grace, aligning with the broader biblical call to purity.

In Colossians 4:6 , Paul further advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Here, the metaphor of salt suggests that our words should preserve and purify, reflecting the transformative power of Christ in our lives.

Guarding the Heart and Tongue

The connection between the heart and speech is a recurring theme in Scripture. Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 12:34-35 , "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil treasure." This teaching highlights that pure speech is a reflection of a pure heart, emphasizing the need for inner transformation.

Proverbs 4:23-24 reinforces this idea: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech." The call to guard the heart is directly linked to the call for chastity in speech, as the heart is the wellspring of our words.

Avoiding Corrupt Communication

The Bible warns against various forms of corrupt communication, including gossip, slander, and coarse joking. In Ephesians 5:3-4 , Paul admonishes, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving."

This passage highlights the incompatibility of impure speech with the identity of a believer. Instead, thanksgiving and words that honor God should characterize the speech of those who follow Christ.

The Role of Wisdom

Wisdom literature in the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, offers practical guidance on maintaining chastity in speech. Proverbs 10:19 states, "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." This proverb underscores the value of restraint and thoughtful speech, recognizing the potential for sin in excessive or careless words.

Proverbs 15:1-2 further illustrates the power of wise speech: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly." Here, the contrast between gentle and harsh words highlights the impact of speech on relationships and the importance of wisdom in communication.

Conclusion

The biblical call to chastity in speech is a reflection of the broader call to holiness and purity in the life of a believer. By aligning our words with the teachings of Scripture, we honor God and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity.
... of Christ, I beseech you consider what chastity is required, where the ... The example
of chastity begins with Joseph ... to all men, alike by his gracious speech as by ...
/.../of the discipline and advantage.htm

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... Paul discoursed of "righteousness, chastity, and judgment to come,"] Acts 24:5 ... It
is not required in the law of Moses relating to ... [24] In this speech of king ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

1 Cor. vii. 1, 2
... discourse in either kind, as the occasion required and the ... And the whole of his speech
goes on entirely in ... to those who would undermine her chastity, "My body ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 1 cor vii.htm

Letter Lxvi. To Pammachius.
... so I am afraid that my present speech may be ... thenceforth in the second degree of
chastity, [1926] and. ... The conditions of the nascent church required this to be ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxvi to pammachius.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... the apostle has given commandment: "let your speech be alway ... sobriety, for she saw
that you required the rein ... excuses; they rend the veil of chastity and put ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

1 Timothy ii. 15-Nov
... and appearance: he proceeds even to regulate their speech. ... good rules, much pains
will not be required afterwards; for ... let us train them in chastity, for there ...
/.../homily ix 1 timothy ii.htm

The Appeal to Parliament, 1742-1749.
... or chastity to her that goes on in whoredom?". ... As Zinzendorf listened to this speech,
some curious ... rite, which circumstance is absolutely required to constitute ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xii the appeal to.htm

The Westminster Shorter Catechism. AD 1647.
... What is required in the seventh commandment? ... commandment requireth the preservation
of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior. ...
/.../the westminster shorter catechism a d.htm

Of Faith.
... 2. Here then it is further required, that each of you ... live soberly, if they believe
not that for chastity there is a ... of Faith is in the form of speech [796] one ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture v of faith.htm

Second Part of the Book.
... and widows who have taken the oath of chastity, all these ... GOD, as it is near the
world with idle speech. ... that day when all the time expended is required of thee ...
/.../second part of the book.htm

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