Words have incredible power to uplift or hurt, and the Bible offers wise guidance on being mindful of what we say. Discover how scripture can help us communicate with love and respect, making our words a positive force in our lives and the lives of others.
Bible Verses About Being Careful What You Say
Proverbs 21:23 – Guarding our tongues leads to safety
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” – Proverbs 21:23
James 1:19 – Listening and speaking with wisdom is essential
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19
Proverbs 15:1 – Gentle words can diffuse anger
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Psalm 34:13 – Choosing our words wisely brings blessings
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” – Psalm 34:13
Proverbs 10:19 – Too many words can lead to sin
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” – Proverbs 10:19
Matthew 12:36 – We will be held accountable for our words
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” – Matthew 12:36
Colossians 4:6 – Our speech should be gracious
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 18:21 – The power of life and death is in the tongue
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:21
Ephesians 4:29 – Words should build others up
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29
Proverbs 12:18 – Reckless words can wound
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
Ecclesiastes 5:2 – Words spoken thoughtlessly can lead to regret
“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” – Ecclesiastes 5:2
Proverbs 26:20 – Quarreling and gossip escalate without restraint
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarrel ceases.” – Proverbs 26:20
Matthew 15:11 – What comes out of the mouth reflects the heart
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” – Matthew 15:11
Proverbs 17:27 – Wise speech shows restraint
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” – Proverbs 17:27
James 3:5 – A small tongue can cause great destruction
“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” – James 3:5
Proverbs 20:19 – Gossip betrays trust
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.” – Proverbs 20:19
Titus 3:2 – We are called to speak kindly
“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” – Titus 3:2
1 Peter 3:10 – Speaking of good things brings blessings
“For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” – 1 Peter 3:10
Proverbs 15:28 – A righteous heart thinks before talking
“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” – Proverbs 15:28
Job 27:4 – Integrity in speech is vital
“My lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.” – Job 27:4
Psalm 141:3 – Asking God to guard our mouths is wise
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” – Psalm 141:3
Proverbs 16:24 – Kind words are refreshing
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” – Proverbs 16:24
Isaiah 50:4 – The Lord equips us with wise words
“The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.” – Isaiah 50:4
1 Corinthians 13:1 – Speaking without love is empty
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1
Proverbs 28:23 – Clear, honest conversations are valuable
“Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.” – Proverbs 28:23
Romans 3:14 – Speaking with a wicked heart leads to ruin
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” – Romans 3:14
Galatians 5:15 – Avoiding strife is better than quarrelling
“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” – Galatians 5:15
Matthew 5:37 – Honesty should define our speech
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” – Matthew 5:37
Philippians 2:14 – We should speak without grumbling
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” – Philippians 2:14
Proverbs 23:9 – Don’t waste words on the foolish
“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.” – Proverbs 23:9
Luke 6:45 – The heart influences our words
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil.” – Luke 6:45
Proverbs 12:22 – Truthfulness aligns with God’s character
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22
1 Timothy 5:13 – Idleness leads to harmful speech
“Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.” – 1 Timothy 5:13
Also Read: 30 Important Bible Verses About Bragging
What Does the Bible Say About Being Careful What You Say?
When it comes to the words we speak, the Bible provides us with a wealth of wisdom and guidance. Throughout the scriptures, we find numerous references that emphasize the power of our words and the importance of being careful about what we say.
In the Book of James, we are reminded of the immense power of the tongue. James warns us that although it is a small part of the body, it can cause great damage if not controlled. This underscores the necessity of being mindful about our words, as they can either uplift or destroy. Our speech has the potential to set the course for our entire life, much like a small rudder steers a large ship.
Proverbs also offers a treasury of insights about the power of our speech. It tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. This profound statement highlights how our words can bring life and healing or harm and destruction. It encourages us to speak words that build up and encourage others rather than tear them down.
Jesus Himself emphasized the significance of our words. In the Gospels, He teaches that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. This suggests that our words are a reflection of our inner character and spiritual state. By being careful with what we say, we not only show love and respect for others but also reveal our own spiritual maturity and commitment to following Christ.
We are also instructed in Colossians to let our speech always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone. This implies that our words should be both kind and wise, offering encouragement and guidance that align with our faith.
Being careful with our words is not just about avoiding harm; it is also about actively doing good. Ephesians encourages us to speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. This is a call for us to use our words as tools of kindness, compassion, and positive influence.
The Bible makes it clear that we carry a significant responsibility with the words we choose to speak. Let us take this responsibility seriously, striving to ensure that our speech reflects our values and our devotion to God.