How we talk and what we say reveals our heart. It’s kind of like squeezing a tube of toothpaste…

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

²⁷ The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. ²⁸ Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Taking a more positive approach, Paul addressed the matter this way, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” Colossians 4:6.

This is a verse I read every morning. It helps me to put on gracious speech: Words that build up rather than tear down, tone that disarms rather than putting people on the defensive, and spiritual nuggets that draw people’s attention to the Lord.

Jesus is my hero. He used gracious speech, “All spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips.” What had He just finished saying? He was inaugurating His ministry by reading Isaiah 61 and pronouncing that it was the year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:10 and Jesus, True Jubilee). If we take our cue from Jesus, we will use our conversations to impart spiritual knowledge, nuggets of wisdom, and seeds of the Gospel.

The people with whom we converse are usually within our sphere of influence. These people see us often and know us on a moderate to intimate level. Occasionally, we get outside this sphere, but the sphere is where we are to minister routinely. In the Great Commission, most translations read, “Go ye therefore…” when the actual interpretation should read, “As you go…” The difference is profound. If we share with those who are in our sphere of influence, then our words take on the weight of our testimony, our witness, and our moral authority. We must begin to see the people around us in our lives as being placed there by God Himself. He has connected us. Let’s be participants in the Great Commission by reaching out to those around us with gracious words and speech.

Abba, may You be honored and glorified by our speech. The only way I know how to control my tongue is for You to control my heart. When I am tired is when I usually fail, so I am going to lean on You all the more in those times. Rather than excusing myself, I want to “shine like stars in the universe” because when I am weak, then I am strong according to Your Spirit. Thank You, Abba, for Your abiding Spirit. Amen.