Most people will be surprised by the number of references in the Bible about speech, the use of the tongue, and talk in general. You get the impression from reading Proverbs that talking too much is not only unwise, it can lead to all manners of trouble. I guess the best way to make the case for avoiding verbosity would perhaps be to have a silent message delivered on Sunday morning — maybe through a slide running on the screen with Scriptures pointing to the wise use of the tongue. But I can already hear the voices of those who would say that was a waste of time, so instead we will do it the old-fashioned way…
For a little warm up, though, here is the list of good and bad speech from the book of Proverbs.
Good speech is:
Wise (10:13)
Healing (12:8)
Discreet (12:23)
Encouraging (12:25)
Helpful (13:2)
Conciliatory (15:1)
Appropriate (15:23)
Carefully planned (15:29)
Responsible (16:10)
Competent (16:21)
Beneficial (16:24)
Profound (18:4; 25:11)
Productive (18:20)
Controlled (21:23)
True (22:2, 8)
Honest (22:11)
Graceful (22:11; 31:26-27)
Joyful (23:15-16)
Patient and mild (25:15)
Bad speech is:
Lying (10:18)
Dangerous (12:13)
False (14:5; 22:28; 19:28)
Foolish (15:2)
Harmful (15:4)
Divisive (16:28)
Malicious (17:4)
Mocking the poor (17:5)
Dishonest (17:5, 7)
Arrogant (17:9)
Trouble-attracting (18:6-7)
Premature (18:3)
Deceptive (26:23-25, 28)
Rash (29:5, 20)
Now, these are only representative samples of these ideas. They appear and reappear throughout the book of Proverbs. In addition to these, there are countless references to true and lying witnesses in the context of a court of law, or simply in the context of one who is called upon as a character witness or to corroborate the truth about allegations against a neighbor.
Overall, you get the idea that God cares deeply about every word that comes out of our mouths. So much so that Jesus took great pains to say, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.ā (Matthew 12:36-37)..
Enough said! š
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
pastor ivanildo 
Pastor,
I am printing the list and writing out the verses that apply to me the most. I have found out that this is so true.
I have preached to my sister for years about leaving her main line church and going to a Bible teaching church – even brought her here. She lives in Florida, and spends a lot of time at Bingo. Two of the ladies who also play took her to their Bible teaching church. She is now so excited about church and speaks to me about the Lord that all I can say is “thank God”.
Lesson learned: speak to sow the seed, shut up and let God do the rest.
Thanks so much for your teaching.
Joan Erb
thanks for sharing, joan! we serve a great God who is always focused on changing people’s lives!