Language is a powerful tool that shapes our thoughts, actions, and relationships. In the Bible, many verses speak to the importance of our words and communication. These scriptures encourage us to use our language wisely, fostering understanding, kindness, and love. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says about language.
Bible Verses About Language
Proverbs 15:4 – The power of gentle words brings healing
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4
James 1:19 – Listening and speaking wisely
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Proverbs 18:21 – Words can build up or tear down
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
Ephesians 4:29 – Speak only what is beneficial
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 4:6 – Speak graciously always
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6
Matthew 12:36 – Accountability for our words
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” – Matthew 12:36
Proverbs 21:23 – Guard your speech
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” – Proverbs 21:23
Psalm 19:14 – Words and meditation in God’s sight
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
Proverbs 10:19 – Less talk is wise
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” – Proverbs 10:19
Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words bring sweetness
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
1 Peter 3:10 – Speaking wisely leads to life
“For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.” – 1 Peter 3:10
Proverbs 25:11 – Words fitly spoken are valuable
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.” – Proverbs 25:11
Matthew 5:37 – Be straightforward in your communication
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
Isaiah 50:4 – Taught to speak wisely
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, awakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” – Isaiah 50:4
Proverbs 12:18 – Thoughtless words can pierce
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
Romans 10:14 – The necessity of proclaiming
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14
Ecclesiastes 3:7 – Knowing when to speak and when to be silent
“A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.” – Ecclesiastes 3:7
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage one another
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron through speech
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Hebrews 10:24-25 – Sparking love through words
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Proverbs 17:27 – Understanding in our words
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” – Proverbs 17:27
Philippians 2:14 – Speak without grumbling
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” – Philippians 2:14
Colossians 3:8 – Casting off harmful speech
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” – Colossians 3:8
John 6:63 – Words give life
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” – John 6:63
Psalm 34:13 – Choosing words wisely
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” – Psalm 34:13
Proverbs 8:19 – The value of wise words
“My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.” – Proverbs 8:19
Galatians 5:13 – Speak in love
“For you, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
2 Timothy 2:16 – Avoiding empty chatter
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” – 2 Timothy 2:16
Psalm 141:3 – Asking for guidance in speech
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalm 141:3
1 John 4:19 – We love through our words
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19