Language is the apparel in which your thoughts parade before the public. Never clothe them in vulgar or shoddy attire. (George Crane)
back it up with bible
Matthew 12:36,37 But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
1 Corinthians 15:33. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
2 Timothy 2:16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Proverbs 31:26 [Said of the virtuous woman:] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Proverbs 15:4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Psalm 17:3b. I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Psalm 39:1. I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle.
Psalm 141:3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Proverbs 4:24. Put away from thee a froward [stubbornly contrary and disobedient] mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
core christianity
Choose Your Words Wisely!
Language most shows a man: speak that I may see thee…No glass renders a man’s form, or likeness, so true as his speech.—Ben Jonson “Oratio Imago Animi”
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
We talk a lot, don’t we? But do we really say anything important? Let us consider some of the greatest words known to mankind.
The Declaration of Independence — 300 words.
The Gettysburg Address — 266 words.
The Lord’s Prayer — 56 words.
Jesus’ words to us, the Great Commission, “Go ye” — only 2 words!
On the other hand, not long ago, the U.S. government issued an order setting the price of cabbage — 26,911 words!
Let’s choose our words and master our tongues! With it we can speak life, blessing, and encouragement to all those around us today! (George Whitten)
previously published
The State of Your Mouth Shows the State of Your Heart!
(Dad speaking:) Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. So if you’re filling up your heart with good, encouraging, strengthening, faith-building thoughts from God’s Word, then you’re not going to have to worry about what comes out of your mouth. If you’re filling your heart to the brim with good spiritual truths and jewels and fresh wonders from Heaven, then you won’t have to worry about your words or your speech being contemptible.
If your intake is not what it should be--inspiring, uplifting, positive and edifying--then the words that come out of your mouth aren’t going to be encouraging, uplifting or positive either! You’re not ruling your own spirit. You’re not being prayerful. You’re not keeping your thoughts and words in subjection. You’re not controlling your anger. You’re actually following after the world and its ways when you speak as they speak.
Ultimately, either the Lord or the Devil has rule over your spirit, according to the choices you make and which one you want to yield to. You’re choosing what you want to have rule in your life--the good or the bad. It’s as simple as that…you need to start ruling your own spirit by letting the Lord have control. You need to rule your own spirit by choosing to let the Lord take hold of your tongue. All you have to do is make the choice, determine in your heart that you want the Lord to rule over your tongue, and then ask Him for the willpower to stick to that decision. But it’s up to the individual to choose--you choose what you want to rule your life, and in this case what you want to rule your tongue. The best way you can rule your own spirit is by yielding your all to the Lord. (ML#3185)
make it personal
Am I careful enough in choosing my words—Please tell me what kind of “clothing” my words and communication are generally “attired” in? Please give me a list of 5 things that are “enemies” to speaking with kindness, love, consideration, and courtesy, and a list of 5 things that will aid or help me in learning to better choose and “clothe” my words.
