Negative aspects of speech

Evil speech comes from a corrupt heart

Matthew 12:33–35 AV

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

See also ; ; ;

Evil speech is a feature of a corrupt society

Micah 6:12–13 AV

For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Evil speech provokes God’s displeasure

Proverbs 12:22 AV

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

See also

Kinds of evil speech

Profaning God’s name

Exodus 20:7 AV

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

See also ; ;

Lies and deceit

Psalm 5:9 AV

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

Foolish boasting

Psalm 94:4 AV

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Ridicule and insults

Proverbs 11:12 AV

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Criticism and complaint

Numbers 12:1–15 AV

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb. And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Slander

Leviticus 19:16 AV

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

See also ; ;

Cursing

Exodus 21:17 AV

And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

See also ; ;

Gossip

Proverbs 16:28 AV

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

See also ; ;

Obscenity

Ephesians 5:4 AV

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

See also

Evil speech is silenced

By God’s actions

Psalm 107:41–42 AV

Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

See also ;

By believers’ blameless lives

1 Peter 2:15 AV

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

See also