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The Importance of Speech

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The Importance of Speech

James 1:19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

Speech is very significant in God's plan.

Speech is unique to man.

Genesis 2:7 – "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul."

God created man as a living soul, different from the animals that God created. Man can write and speak a language.

The first example of speech was when Adam began to name all of the animals.

Speech has the potential for good or evil.

Proverbs 20 21 – "From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Speech can praise and glorify God.

Psalm 19:14 – "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 34:1 – "I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Speech can uplift, encourage and unite people.

Ephesians 4:15 – "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ."

Ephesians 4:29 – "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good f or edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear."

Speech can cause harm in the lives of others.

Proverbs 11:9 – "With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered."

Our ability to speak allows us to counsel one another.

Proverbs 11:14 – "Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

Our ability to speak allows God to put words in our mouths.

Exodus 4:15-16 – "And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. He shall speak for you to the people; and he shall be a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God."

Our ability to speak allows us to pray.

Acts 1:14 – "All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

Our speech is a reflection of our minds.

Proverbs 16:23 – "The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips."

Words can bring judgment.

Matthew 12:36-37 – "I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Speech affects the speaker. Proverbs 12:13 – "An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble."

God is concerned about our ability to communicate.

Effective communication is more than exchanging information. It is about creating an understanding of the emotions and intentions behind the statement.

Effective communication imparts information with the full intent of what is said.

Effective communicators make their hearts known. Insincerity is always annoying to the listener.

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