A Word to the Wise

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” That’s from the Bible, right? Well, maybe not. But God does say a lot about what we say. Open up your Bible and take some time to study the subject with me—all of our mouths could use some honest inspection, and maybe even some soap and water.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about words. What we say to one another has a huge impact! We get in fights over words, and fix fights with words. A single comment from another can make your day, or can ruin it.

With all the importance that we put on the words others use toward us, it only makes sense that we should take care how we speak to others. The Bible puts great emphasis on our communication with each other. Paul wrote to the congregation in Colossae, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6).

Seasoned with salt?

What does it mean to have your speech “seasoned with salt”? One commentator notes that “salt, from its use in preserving food from corruption, and rendering it both savoury and wholesome, has always been made the emblem of wisdom” (Adam Clarke, note on Colossians 4:6). So our conversation needs to be pleasant—not mean or destructive, but healthy for all.

Paul told another congregation, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Speaking good words should not just be a sometimes thing. We need to completely remove all rude, filthy, derogatory language from our vocabulary (Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8)!

Say only the things that will edify others—that will build up and be helpful to them. This includes praise of others, sharing good news and even giving constructive criticism (1 Thessalonians 5:14). But it doesn’t include taking God’s name (or even euphemisms for His name) in vain (Exodus 20:7), lying (Exodus 20:16; Ephesians 4:25), gossiping (1 Timothy 5:13), swearing (James 5:12) or bad-mouthing others (1 Timothy 2:11; James 3:9-10).

Think before you speak

Play the words you’re about to say through in your head before blurting them out. Consider whether anyone could be offended by your words, whether those people are present or not. A good rule of thumb: Would what you are about to say offend your grandma? Or even far more important, what would Jesus think if He heard you say that? And of course, He always does.

We tend to use our language very carelessly, thinking that what we say doesn’t really matter that much. But the God who created you, who formed your vocal cords and your mouth, expects more of you. Jesus warns us that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. … I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34, 36-37).

It’s all about reactions

When you stub your toe, what do you say? (How about “ouch”?)

When someone asks a question you are ashamed to answer, do you lie or do you bear their reaction for the sake of the truth?

When your friends are discussing others and cutting them to ribbons, do you remember that the same God who made and loves you, made and loves them the same amount—no matter what they did or what your friends think of them? What should such knowledge cause you to say?

When you are angry, do you lash out, insult and say hateful things? Or do you go directly to the person who has wronged you and try to make peace (2 Timothy 2:23-25)?

Your words say a lot about you. Do your words show you to be a loving, peaceful follower of God? Do others admire your purity, or enjoy your crudeness? You know which will be more valuable in the end. But will you use that knowledge as soap and water to clean your mouth out, and keep it that way?

Erica Bennett is a high school senior planning to attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall.