Speech, negative aspects of

The sinfulness of fallen human nature can express itself in speech, provoking God's displeasure and causing enmity and division amongst people.

Evil speech comes from a corrupt heart

Matthew 12:33–35 See also Proverbs 2:12–15, Proverbs 24:1–2; Matthew 15:10–11 parallel Mark 7:14–15; Luke 6:43–45

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Evil speech is a feature of a corrupt society

Micah 6:12–13 See also Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah 59:1–4, Isaiah 59:12–15; Jeremiah 9:1–9; Romans 1:29–32; 2 Timothy 3:1–5

For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths. Therefore I am striking you severely, to ruin you because of your sins.

Evil speech provokes God's displeasure

Proverbs 12:22 See also Proverbs 6:16–19

Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Kinds of evil speech

Profaning God's name

Exodus 20:7 parallel Deuteronomy 5:11 See also Exodus 22:28; Leviticus 19:12; Psalm 139:19–20

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

Lies and deceit

Psalm 5:9 See also Psalm 36:3, Psalm 52:1–4, Psalm 62:4; Proverbs 14:5, Proverbs 14:25, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 17:20

For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Foolish boasting

Psalm 94:4 See also Psalm 10:2–6, Psalm 12:3–4; Isaiah 10:12–14; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; James 4:13–16; 2 Peter 2:17–18

They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

Ridicule and insults

Proverbs 11:12 See also 1 Samuel 17:41–44; 2 Kings 2:23–24; Nehemiah 2:19; Proverbs 9:7; Lamentations 2:15–16; Matthew 5:22, Matthew 27:39–44 parallels Mark 15:29–32, Luke 23:35–39; John 9:28–29

Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Criticism and complaint

Numbers 12:1–15 See also Numbers 16:1–50; 1 Samuel 17:28; Proverbs 19:13, Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 21:19, Proverbs 25:24; Acts 11:2–3; Philippians 2:14–15

Slander

Leviticus 19:16 See also 1 Kings 21:1–14; Proverbs 10:18; James 4:11

You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.

Cursing

Exodus 21:17 See also 2 Samuel 16:5–8; Proverbs 20:20; James 3:9–10

Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.

Gossip

Proverbs 16:28 See also Proverbs 11:13, Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 20:19

A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

Obscenity

Ephesians 5:4 See also Colossians 3:8

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

Evil speech is silenced

By God's actions

Psalm 107:41–42 See also Psalm 63:11; Ezekiel 16:63

But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks. The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.

By believers' blameless lives

1 Peter 2:15 See also Titus 2:7–8

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.