Rules for Proper Use of the Word

The spoken word has the power to kill and give life, give joy and suffering, wound and heal, build up and destroy... It can be just as effective as the sword or the gun in maiming or killing its listeners and subjects, and just as effective as the doctors and their medicines in healing. (Taming the Tongue) Use it wrongly and Divine Justice shall repay you accordingly.

²¹ They who indulge in [the power of the tongue] shall eat the fruit of it. PROVERBS 18 amp

For proper use of the spoken word, take cue from the responsible gun owner: He enlists a knowledgeable friend or a professional instructor to learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of his gun before he uses it. When not in use, he makes sure the gun is of no danger to anyone; he empties the chamber of ammo, locks the safety on the firing pin, holsters the gun and hides it away from the reach of children and irresponsible hands. He never stands or walks around with his finger on the trigger. (Under sufficient stress, an unexpected movement, misstep or surprise could result in a negligent discharge.) He always keeps the muzzle of the gun pointed at a safe direction. He does not use the gun for aggression. He never shoots at anything until he has positively identified his target and what’s beyond it.

Proper use of the spoken word has three basic rules:

Rule No. 1 is keep your mouth shut. Remember, your ability to speak is a gift. Gratitude dictates that it be used to please the Giver, not His enemy. 

²⁰ Let all the earth be silent before [the Lord]. HABAKKUK 2 nlt

² Let your words be few. ECCLESIASTES 5

³⁶ I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless [irresponsible] word that they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. MATTHEW 12

³ He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. PROVERBS 13

Rule No. 2 is do not break the silence to bring anyone to sin.

¹ Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. LUKE 17

⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. ECCLESIASTES 5

⁹ With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor. PROVERBS 11

²⁹ 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

³¹ No more shouting or insults. EPHESIANS 4 tev

³¹ Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, [along] with all malice (spite, ill will, or any baseness of any kind). EPHESIANS 4 amp

³ Among you there should not even be mentioned sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed; these are utterly inappropriate for God’s holy people. EPHESIANS 5 cjb

⁴ Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead, voice your thankfulness (to God). EPHESIANS 5 amp

¹³ Don’t fall into the habit of coarse, profane talk; it is sinful. SIRACH 23

²⁴ Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. PROVERBS 4

Rule No. 3 is break the silence only to say something necessary and righteous.

One good example of Speak only what is necessary is when you have to shout “She’s bleeding profusely! Call 911, hurry!” Or when you have to cast out demons or neutralize an act of wickedness or lawlessness.

One good example of Speak only what is righteous is when you have to whisper “I love you, Honey, therefore I forgive you!”

Commandment No. 9 calls us to keep on loving everyone even as we speak… to speak words that shine as nuggets of love, that refresh and edify the soul, that build and strengthen love-relationships…

²⁴ Don’t you fence in your property? Don’t you lock up your money? ²⁵ Well, be just as careful with what you say. Weigh every word, and have a lock ready for your mouth. SIRACH 28