Category Archives: Speech

Backbiting, Bible, Bitterness, Curses, Scripture, Speech, Tongue

CURSES AND BITTERNESS

ROMANS 3:14

“‘THEIR MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS’”;

Every time I hear the word “bitter” I think about the Old Testament story when the Jewish nation had left Egypt and came to Marah. “When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter; for that reason it was named Marah.” (Exodus 15:23). Of course, that bitterness was due to high mineral and salt content. That is not the reason behind the bitterness we read about today.

Paul quotes in today’s verse from Psalm 10:7. “His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; Under his tongue is harm and injustice.” While Paul does not quote this literally, he does give the general sense of the verse. Enemies of Christ, and therefore our enemies, will curse and spew bitter words against Him and us. We should expect no less and not be surprised when they do.

APPLICATION

People who are living for Jesus will be targets of these people. One commentator suggested that perhaps David in Psalm 10:7 was thinking about the curses that Shimei yelled at him when he was fleeing Absalom. Can you stay calm like David as your enemies hurl all kinds of accusations against you? John McArthur said in a sermon that our enemies are our mission field. How true is that!

“Bitterness” is the Greek word pikria which is only used four times in the New Testament. Ephesians 4:31 says, “All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.” This is not something a believer should have in their lives. Do you think for a second that Christ ever harbored a bitter word or thought? Then we should not either.

In short today, watch your mouth. No curses on others should be spoken which includes wishing someone ill will. Nor should you have bitter words come out of your mouth. Remember that your tongue is Christ’s tongue. He lives in you through the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit control that little muscle in your mouth and you will be so much better off.

Father God, help me today to control my tongue and speak only holy and pure things.

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Bible, Grace, Scripture, Speech, Tongue, Words

SALTY SPEECH

COLOSSIANS 4:6

“Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”

When you think of “salty speech,” you probably think of someone who curses a bit too much. My father-in-law was saved late in life and had kind of a salty mouth. He wasn’t crude or rude about it. He had just used these words a long time and would let a word or two slide out every once in a while. I’ve known other people who “cursed like a sailor” (no offense to all my Navy buddies out there).

Paul is not talking about that kind of salty speech today. Salt is used to season things, right? Not enough salt and the food is kind of blah. Too much salt and it is inedible. Paul is saying we should season our speech with just enough grace for the occasion. The Holy Spirit, of course, will guide us in our speech if we will just listen.

APPLICATION

Once again, Albert Barnes gives an excellent description of this “salty speech.” “Salt, among the Greeks, was the emblem of wit. Here the meaning seems to be, that our conversation should be seasoned with piety or grace in a way similar to that in which we employ salt in our food. It makes it wholesome and palatable. So, with our conversation. If it be not imbued with the spirit of piety, it is flat, insipid, unprofitable, injurious. The spirit of piety will make it what it should be – useful, agreeable, beneficial to mankind. This does not mean that our conversation is to be always, strictly speaking, religious – wherever we may be – any more than our food should be mere salt; but it means that, whatever be the topic, the spirit of piety should be diffused through it – as the salt in our food should properly season it all – whatever the article of food may be.”

So, let me ask you a question. How is your speech toward others, especially unbelievers? Do you give too little grace or too much grace? Is your speech palatable? We should weigh our words carefully. I’ve always said that words are like toothpaste. Once they are out, they can’t be put back in. Squeeze carefully.

O Lord, guard my tongue and give me the right words to say.

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Anger, Behavior, Bible, Scripture, Speech, Wrath

THROW OUT THE TRASH

COLOSSIANS 3:8

“But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth.”

When I come in from working outside, my wife makes me take my clothes off in the garage and then directly to the washing machine. She can’t stand the smell of my sweat and dirt. I have to lay those things aside to distance myself from them in order to cleanse myself.

That’s the picture Paul is painting in today’s verse. Strong’s Lexicon explains this so well. “The Greek verb apotithémi is used in the New Testament to convey the action of putting off or laying aside something, often in a metaphorical sense. It implies a deliberate action of removing or discarding something that is no longer needed or is considered inappropriate. This term is frequently used in the context of moral and spiritual transformation, where believers are encouraged to “put off” sinful behaviors and attitudes.”

APPLICATION

This verb is only used 9 times in the New Testament. In James 1:21 it says, “Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” To truly receive the Word, you have to get rid of all the stuff in your life that seeks to draw you away.

In Hebrews 12:1 the Holy Spirit tells us, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us.” You can’t run and drag this stuff with you. You have to throw it away.

What do you need to rid yourself of today? It may not be “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech,” but it still needs to go. You need to be unhindered, ready to run. Lay all that stuff aside and pursue the race He has for you.

Oh Lord, give me the strength to lay these things aside and never pick them up again.

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Abiding, Bible, Hearing, Listening, Scripture, Speech, Testimony

ALSO

ZECHARIAH 4:8

“Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying,”

In this world of multi-media, we can get lost in messages and texts. I send a lot of emails. Usually, they are to groups of people I have saved in a distribution list. But occasionally I will need to send an email to just one person. I will type it, check it and hit send only to realize I needed to add something to the message. Now, I have to send another message.

The angel has been delivering God’s message to Zechariah, but now in today’s verse we see the Lord talking directly to Zechariah. I love the word “also.” In the Hebrew it is much stronger than that. It is an emphatic word. It is a strong word. It’s kind of like “And furthermore.” God is driving the point home. He has been watching and listening to the angel’s conversation with Zechariah and adds to it.

APPLICATION

The point for us? God is not done talking to us. He has more to say – if we will just listen. In Luke 9:44, Jesus called the disciples close and said, “‘Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.’” Have you heard the Lord tell you to “listen carefully”? He just may have a message for you.

The last couple of days I have been at a Pastors’ Conference. We have had some incredible pre-session prayer times. Each day as I walked the room and prayed over the table and chairs, God has given me words for that day. How did I hear those words? I was listening. He did not speak audibly to me. He spoke through His Spirit, but the words were as clear as a bell.

Today God may tap you on the shoulder and say, “Listen up. I have a message for you.” Get still somewhere and just listen. Try it for one minute. Then try it for two minutes. If you keep practicing this, you will want to add minutes so you can hear more from Him. God had more to say to Zechariah. He has more to say to us. Listen!

Here I am, Lord. I am listening. Speak to me.

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Abiding, Bible, Choices, Confession, Discipline, Holy Spirit, Intimacy, Modeling, Obedience, Scripture, Speech, Testimony

WHERE THE LORD DWELLS

AMOS 1:2

And he said, “The LORD roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem He utters His voice; and the shepherds’ pasture grounds mourn, and the summit of Carmel dries up.”

I have mentioned a lot in my blogs that I grew up in South Georgia. That’s different that Georgia. I grew up so far south that I thought Atlanta, GA was in the northern states. Lol. So when I speak, people know I’m from the South. I have a southern accent that I can’t deny, nor would I. That is where I dwelt.

I love this imagery which Amos uses. The Lord roars from Zion. He dwells in Jerusalem. This is a clear message to the nation of Israel who had set up worship sites in the northern kingdom. No! God dwells in Jerusalem. That is where He chose to dwell. He didn’t change His location. And you can definitely tell where His voice is coming from. The world will know.

APPLICATION

Isn’t it glorious that now He dwells in us? When we receive His Son as our Savior, He immediately indwells us through the person of the Holy Spirit. We become His dwelling place. In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our bodies of the temple of the Holy Spirit. And our voice should now be His voice. People should know who indwells us by the way we talk.

Our language has to change. We can’t keep talking the same way we talked before we were saved. The words we choose to use have to reflect the one who indwells us. The words we put in print have to tell others that we are different. We can’t use the world’s words anymore. We are different. We are indwelt.

That’s hard sometimes. We slip up and fall back into the old way of talking. We use some of those old words that don’t sound like Jesus. I have had to confess that as sin too many times. I am thankful for a God who can override my tongue. He can choose my words for me when I want to say something different. I want my words to reflect Him and sound like Him. Don’t you?

Father, forgive me when I fail to reflect You in my speech. I truly want others to hear You and not me.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Deceit, Encouragement, Evil, Godliness, Gossip, Inspirational, Lies, Mentoring, Modeling, Parenting, Speech, Testimony

NASTY MOUTH

1 PETER 3:10

“For, ‘THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.’”

This verse and the next two verses come from Psalm 34:12-16. Peter isn’t just giving his opinion. He gives us truth from God’s Word. Shouldn’t we all do that? And this truth is one worth sharing. Let’s just look at this verse.

The Psalmist says if you desire life watch your mouth. The word “evil” there refers to an inner evil, one that is really foul. And the word “deceit” means luring others into a trap. Get the picture? You must keep your tongue and mouth from evil if you want life. You can’t talk like this and see good days.

APPLICATION

This is a no brainer for our kids. Aren’t we always correcting their speech, especially when it’s not nice? We don’t let our children talk that way. But where do they learn it? Most of the time from us. That’s not always the case, but it is most of the time. We have to watch our lips because little ears are listening.

Sometimes they learn this speech from their friends. So, ask yourself if you want your kids around these other children. You may have to limit their contact with people who are negatively influencing them. That’s tough, but necessary.

How’s your mouth? Are you talking out of both sides of your mouth? Our words should be consistent no matter where we are. Why? Because the One who matters is always listening. If we submit our tongues and lips to Him, only the right words will proceed from us. Will you do that today?

O Father, I desire for my words to be pleasing to Your ear. Speak through me Lord.

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