Speaking about others in a way that honors God requires careful consideration and self-reflection. According to Ephesians, our words should be used to build others up, rather than tear them down. The teachings of Jesus in Matthew and the wisdom of Proverbs caution against judging or speaking negatively about others, emphasizing the importance of gentle and edifying speech. James writes about the power of the tongue, warning that careless words can have destructive consequences, and encouraging believers to guard their speech and speak in a way that brings life and blessing to those around them.
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Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
“Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.