Use of the Tongue - Good Words - Part One - Pauline Epistles

Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

I will now find some Scriptures that talk about the proper use of the tongue, or the proper use of words. I don't know about others, but reading through the passages on the subject of gossip and slander was eye-opening and convicting for me. It's not that many of the passages aren't familiar. Some are very familiar.

It's just so convicting! I praise God for His grace - grace that paid the penalty for my sins when Christ died on the cross, and grace that enables me by the Holy Spirit to actually work at living up to these strong words of correction and rebuke.

Then, I know that Christ lived up to these standards every moment of every day of every week of every month of every year of His earthly life. He took my sin and clothed me in His righteousness. Wow!

Hellbound gossips and slanderers that we are without His intervention in our lifes! Praise His holy name. Even so, if I do not walk in obedience to what He shows me in His Word, how can I claim the name of Christ?

Praise His Name!

Now on to a correct use of the tongue. The texts in this post are from the epistles of Paul.

[to be continued]

1. 1 Corinthians 2:13
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 2:13 Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to spiritual men

This is a wonderful verse. Paul and his companions were not speaking words to us that they had learned from some human philosophy. He was not speaking words of human wisdom. He was speaking things that had been taught to him by the Spirit of God.

How are we as Christians taught by the Spirit of God? We are taught by the Spirit as we read and study the Bible, asking the Spirit to enable us to understand the message of the Gospel. This is what we speak to others, too. What the Spirit spoke to Paul and the other human authors of Scriputre, we read, seek Holy Spirit illumination, and speak to others.

2. Romans 3:2 Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

The Jews of the Old Testament, and to a certain extent today, were entrusted with the words of God. We have them recorded for us in the Bible. For that reason, even we Christians should respect what God did through His Old Testament people. For that reason, believers should protect and defend the Jews. We believe that the Bible teaches that God is not finished with the Jews, yet, and that they will someday turn to Christ, their Messiah. We love them and speak well of them. We bless them and long for the day of Christ's coming.

3. Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Sometimes our spiritual need is too great to put into words. The Spirit intercedes for us.

4. Romans 10:18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."



5. 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

6. 1 Corinthians 14:9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

7. 1 Corinthians 14:19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:18-20 (in Context) Ephesians 6 (Whole Chapter)
1 Thessalonians 1:5
because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter)
1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Whole Chapter)
1 Timothy 6:4
he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (in Context) 1 Timothy 6 (Whole Chapter)
2 Timothy 2:14
[ A Workman Approved by God ] Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.