Bible verses: Communication

Slow to Speak

• When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10:19).
• Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19).
• I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak (Matthew 12:36).
• There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).
• Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin (Proverbs 13:3).
• The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things (Proverbs 15:28).
• Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him (Proverbs 29:20).
  

Speak to Help

• Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
• Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:25).
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
• Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).
• The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly (Proverbs 15:2).
• Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy (Proverbs 27:5-6).
• The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice (Psalm 37:30).
• A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

Speak Graciously

• Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:6).
• A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
• With patience, a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone (Proverbs 25:15).

Avoid Quarreling

• Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20).
• Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness (2 Timothy 2:16).
• Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless (Titus 3:9).
• It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling (Proverbs 20:3).
• To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2).
• Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offence (Proverbs 19:11).