{"id":13748,"date":"2017-08-17T01:00:09","date_gmt":"2017-08-17T08:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/?p=13748"},"modified":"2017-08-08T22:35:52","modified_gmt":"2017-08-09T05:35:52","slug":"tongue-un-twisted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/2017\/08\/17\/tongue-un-twisted\/","title":{"rendered":"Tongue Un-Twisted"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Josh Liu<\/em><\/p>\n

Our lives are filled with words (e.g., speech, communication). Many of us acknowledge the power and influence\u2013and source of problems\u2013speech and communication have. However, very few of us discipline our speech with careful discernment. Paul Tripp has said,<\/p>\n

\u2026even though we aren\u2019t always aware of it, every day of our lives is filled with talk. Every moment is infected with talk. Every relationship and situation is dyed with words. We\u2019re word-ish people. You could hardly identify a more formative aspect of our daily lives than our world of words. Yet whenever I begin to think, speak, or write about this topic, I experience a bit of frustration. What frustrates me is the vocabulary of communication. The terms are so mundane\u2013words, talk, dialogue, conversation, communication. They just don\u2019t seem to carry the freight of how profoundly significant and important this area of life actually is. (The Power of Words and The Wonder of God<\/span>, 23)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Words are ultimately significant because of what God reveals in Scripture concerning our words (the Book of Proverbs contain over 100 verses related to speech). Our words are a window into the human heart. We speak thoughts, intentions, desires, wishes, beliefs, and so on contained in the heart (cf. Prov. 18:4; Matt. 15:18; Luke 6:45; Mark 7:21). Our words command power and can be a source of destruction (cf. James 3:2-12). Our words are so important that Scripture describes controlling the tongue as one of the keys to a successful life (cf. Prov. 21:23; 1 Pet. 3:10). Frighteningly, God will judge our words (cf. Matt. 12:33-37).<\/p>\n

So, how aware are you of your speech and communication? Do you think before speaking, or do you more often find yourself regretting your words? Is there any sinful speech you need to repent of and work to root out of your life? Is there any edifying speech that you to include more in your life? What are some helpful communication skills to practice in applying biblical principles on speech? These are important questions to reflect on.<\/p>\n

Christ\u2019s servants are commanded to silence sinful speech. In other words, believers are to silence, put away, stop, mortify, mute, reign in all speech that dishonors or disobeys Christ and tears down others (cf. Eph. 4:29). This is not exclusively about profanity; this is any speech dishonors Christ and tears down others. E. Bradley Beevers says,<\/p>\n

Evil speech isn\u2019t just talking when you should be silent or saying things you immediately wish you hadn\u2019t said. Some things we say are bad for other reasons. For example, with some speech, we determine whether it is evil or good by asking when, to whom, under what circumstances, with what tone of voice something is said. At the other extreme, we distinguish \u201cfoul language\u201d from the rest of language; \u201cfoul language\u201d is inherently bad. It\u2019s not a matter of saying something at the wrong time or to the wrong person. Such \u201cevil talk\u201d is always wrong, always to be avoided by the believer. (\u201cWatch Your Langauge!\u201d, 24)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Believers\u2019 speech is not to be characterized with the world\u2019s speech. The Bible describes a variety of sinful speech that must be silenced. Below is a summary of a personal study on sins of the tongue with questions for reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nSinful Speech<\/th>\nDescription<\/th>\nScripture<\/th>\nQuestions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Sinful Speech About Others<\/td>\nGossip<\/td>\nThe spreading of unfavorable information about someone,
\neven if that information is true.<\/td>\n		Prov. 11:12-13; 18:8; 20:19<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do you sweetly cherish secrets so that you can talk about it with others?<\/li>\n
  • Do you inappropriately pry for information so that you can talk about it with others?<\/li>\n
  • Have you said, \u201cdon\u2019t tell anyone else\u201d for fear of repercussions by sharing something that was shared with you in confidence?<\/li>\n
  • Will you betray anyone\u2019s trust by sharing?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slander<\/td>\nSpeaking about another person (whether false or true, an\u00a0accurate or inaccurate\/misrepresentation) that defames or damages the\u00a0person\u2019s reputation (or character).<\/td>\nProv. 16:28; Eph. 4:31-32<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Would what you say impugn someone\u2019s reputation or character?<\/li>\n
  • Would it cause conflict if discovered?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lie<\/td>\nMaking a false statement; exaggeration for selfish reasons
\n(e.g., greater recognition); intentionally withholding the whole truth for\u00a0sinful reasons.<\/td>\n		Prov. 10:18<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do you lie or exaggerate truth claims to create a certain perception about yourself or someone else?<\/li>\n
  • Do you intentionally mislead because you rejoice in deceit (for compulsive liars)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Critical speech<\/td>\nNegative comments about someone that may actually be true\u00a0but doesn’t need to be said, but said for the purpose of tearing that person\u00a0down.<\/td>\nProv. 21:9, 19<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do people seem to walk on eggshells around you, afraid of provoking you to typical negative comment?<\/li>\n
  • Do you mostly criticize and not praise?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instigating<\/td>\nStirs up strife or conflict; to provoke.<\/td>\nProv. 17:9; 23:9<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do you call out individuals to specifically set a certain context? (i.e., romantic relationships)<\/li>\n
  • Are you a hype-man just shooting out \u201coh\u201d to any comment that would normally be regarded as innocuous?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sinful Speech About Others<\/td>\nHarsh words<\/td>\nWords spoken inconsiderate, thoughtless, reckless,\u00a0imprudently, impetuously.<\/td>\nProv. 12:18<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Are you brash or rough in speech?<\/li>\n
  • Do you excuse bluntness as simply a personality trait or basis of perceived intimacy of friendship, excusing a lack of discernment in words and tone?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Joking or sarcasm<\/td>\nCrude or coarse humor (words or actions\/pranks) intended\u00a0to amuse oneself at the expense of others (ridiculing, putting down,\u00a0belittling, provoking a response, etc.).<\/td>\nProv. 26:18-19<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do you find your jokes often hurting others?<\/li>\n
  • Have they been the source of conflicts or misunderstandings leading to conflicts?<\/li>\n
  • Do you often excuse the shock value of your words by saying that you\u2019re only joking?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insults<\/td>\nTo wound, put to shame, humiliate, disrespect, dishonor.<\/td>\nMatt. 5:22<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do you directly insult others without remorse?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Discourage<\/td>\nTo put down, shut out, or sadden<\/td>\nNum. 13:31-14:4<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do your words remove biblical hope from someone?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boasting<\/td>\nTo exalt self above others, and to belittle others<\/td>\nLuke 18:11<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Are you the hero of your stories?<\/li>\n
  • Do you make comments to compete with others (e.g., you slept for 5 hours? I slept for 3 hours)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unbiblical counsel<\/td>\nCommunicating a choice, decision, or expected response as\u00a0biblical yet purely based on opinion, preference, experience, or worldliness.<\/td>\nJob\u2019s friends; Prov. 18:2<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do you misrepresent or misapply God\u2019s Word to someone\u2019s situation?<\/li>\n
  • Do you counsel out of personal opinion, preference, or experience and place it as God\u2019s standard?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nInternal speech<\/td>\nIndicting God\u2019s character, entertaining sinful fantasies\u00a0(e.g., immorality, vengeance), excusing or justifying sin, or internal\u00a0complaining<\/td>\nProv. 20:22; Mark 2:6-7; Phil. 2:24<\/td>\n\n