The Christian Lifestyle: Speech

It starts with the definition of Christian: A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.”

Continuing in this small Bible Study of the Christian Lifestyle, the next lesson was on our speech. This lesson explains that a Christian’s words are of transcendent importance, for Jesus has said in Matthew 12:36: “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment”. The word “answer” in the text above means more than simply an answer to a question. The Greek word “apokrinomai” is used 250 times in the New Testament, and in every other instance it is used in a simple narrative sense (such as, “he answered saying”). Thus it refers to ordinary conversation, indicating that every verbal response of a Christian should be gracious and tasteful—never crude, or hurtful, or bland.

1 Peter 3:14-16 “Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

The Scriptures include many other specifications for a Christian’s speech. In the first place, there should not be too much of it! Our words should be carefully chosen, able to be substantiated—“sound speech that cannot be condemned” as Titus 2:8 says. People should be able to rely on the truth of what we say.

The Apostle Paul declares in Ephesians 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor”. Furthermore, proclaimed in Ephesians 4:29, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”. Colossians 3:8 instructs, “now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” Foul speech is unbefitting a child of God. Our words should always be edifying and helpful, wholesome and thoughtful.

But if this seems humanly impossible, remember God is able to transform our minds and tame our tongues, even though we cannot! The key is prayer—earnest and consistent prayer—not just that our speech become innocuous, but that it may edify, testify, and minister grace. You are blessed to be a blessing.