Category: . . . Speech
Conversation: Make It Better for Christ
Good conversation went fugitive with the invasion of electronic media. Yet you long for it, and so do those in your circle of acquaintances. Believers in Christ ought to be excellent at it. Even our non-believing friends ought to leave us saying, “That was the best...
Talk about Others the Way You Want Others to Talk about You
A friend and her husband recently told me the story of how they met and married. One day, sometime before they moved into a serious relationship, he called her about something completely unrelated. The phone picked up, but he soon realized that it had answered by...
The Tamed Tongue
Your tongue may be the most dangerous weapon you possess. When unleashed (or unsheathed) without restraint, it can cut more deeply than a sword (Ps. 52:2; Ps. 57:4; Ps. 64:3; Prov. 12:18). But the tongue can also be used for encouragement and healing—for blessing rather than...
Sweetness of Speech: The Bible’s Winning Tactic for Verbal Disputes
We all have the unfortunate ability to be fully convinced of our own rightness and yet still be wrong. This reality should make humility our governing disposition when disagreeing with others. And yet, having a humble disposition doesn’t mean never taking a strong stand, never contending...
Surviving Unbridled Wickedness
Not a single godly person could be found. At least, that’s how the psalmist felt. Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. (Ps 12:1) He used exaggerated language to make a point: rampant,...
Speaking Bible
There are a variety of ways to be obnoxious in our interactions with people. One of them is to always speak in holy tones as if we are super spiritual. Another is to use trite Christian phrases when we greet people, such as, “How’s the Lord...
Selected Proverbs Regarding the Tongue
10:11 – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 10:18 – The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not...
Is it OK for Christians to Cuss?
Why any Christian would fight for the liberty to use foul language is beyond me, but there is a growing debate as to whether cussing is appropriate for the believer. Let’s start with two basic facts: First, There is no verse in the Bible that specifically...
Contentiousness, Quarreling and Strife: Harsh Noises in God’s Ears, Even When You’re Right
My wife and I were rudely awakened one night by a terrible sound outside our bedroom window. We ran outside and discovered two raccoons up in a tree, fighting. I suppose it would be more accurate to say they were screaming at each other, and they...
Doeg the Edomite: A Man After Saul’s Own Heart
David was on the run. King Saul, now possessed by an evil spirit, was after him. In his escape, he stops for food at Nob, where the Ark resided in the ancient tabernacle. Ahimilech was priest on duty. David asked for bread. In a historic move...
