Notes have been adapted from Jerry L. Ross’ book, “The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ”

(published by Sword of the Lord, 2000) pages 27-33

1.      Speak sparingly – Proverbs 17:27-28; 10:19

JOKE: Have your parents or grandparents ever told you something like: “You can’t learn anything with your mouth open?”

NOTE: These verses are NOT meant to discourage us from asking legitimate questions or speaking at all.  These verses are explaining to us the fact that the more we talk, the more likely we are to sin!

Proverbs 10:19 --- “wanteth” = “lacketh”

KEY POINT: Idle talk ALWAYS leads to sin!!

NOTE TO PARENTS: If your teenager wants to call someone or IM them or chat with them online – you’re question should be this: “What do you have to ask them or tell them?”  If they don’t have a legitimate answer your answer should be “No.”

OBSERVATION: I’ve heard teenagers share that they spend hours online or on the phone – and almost without exception these are the same kids who are struggling with their attitude!

Matthew 12:36 = But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

CONCLUSION: Unplanned, unstructured (without purpose), (unsupervised) conversations ALWAYS seem to deteriorate into SIN – especially gossip!!

If you want to have “Excellent Speech” eliminate those situations where you just sit and talk about “nothing”.

2.      Speak only after thinking – Proverbs 29:11& 20, James 1:19

How many of us have ever said something before we thought about it – and regretted it later?

NOTE: Probably the first thing I should think about is whether or not this is something I should be talking about!

o   Don’t be afraid of silence!

o   Don’t be afraid to say that you really don’t know!

3.      Speak honestly – Proverbs 12:17 & Ephesians 4:25

Proverbs 6 list seven things that are an abomination to God!  Did you ever notice that 2 of them have to do with lying?

Proverbs 6:17 = “a lying tongue”

Proverbs 6:19 = “a false witness that speaketh lies”

How many lies do you have to tell to be a liar?

EXAMPLE: In court, people are asked to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Why is this?  (Because if we don’t tell the “whole truth” we are NOT really telling the truth!)

EXAMPLE: Sometimes kids will run up to you and say, “So-and-so hit me!!”  --- BUT somehow they forgot to tell that they called them a “buzzard-face chicken”!!

Tell the whole truth – the unembellished, impartial truth – even if it gets you into trouble!!  

4.      Speak with grace – Colossians 4:6

KEY POINT: This fourth law follows the “truth law” on purpose. Although we should always tell the whole truth, some truths should NOT be spoken!!

COMPARE Ephesians 4:29 = Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

What does it mean to speak with grace? What is grace? (unmerited favor)

Speaking with grace means that we show favor to people – even if it’s not merited.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 = The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Never speak an unkind truth – when it’s not absolutely necessary.

What does it mean for our speech to be “seasoned with salt”?

REMEMBER: Salt is a preservative and a healing agent. ALL of our speech should be a “healing agent”.

 5.      Speak only acceptable words – Psalm 19:14

a.       All our words should be acceptable before God!

NO CURSE WORDS – especially slang curse words!!

b.      All our words should be acceptable with Godly men.

Pr 16:23-24 = The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

6.      Speak appropriately – Proverbs 25:11

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that there is a time for everything!! We need to remember this rule when we are speaking: Is it the right time and place to say this? Rebuke, humor, and even praise has the right time and place!!

7.      Speak respectfully – I Timothy 5:1-2

Use the right words AND the right tone of voice!!

Don’t speak to authorities with a brash manner!!!

Don’t speak suggestively (which shows a lack of respect)!

8.      Never speak evil of another person – James 4:11 & Titus 3:2

These two verses are NOT saying that we should never say anything that is true and negative (there ARE times for this); BUT both of these verses have the motive in mind --- speaking evil of someone in order to defame them!!

GOSSIP IS WICKED “character assassination”!!

9.      Never praise yourself – Proverbs 27:2

Proverbs 25:27 = It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

II Corinthians 10:18 = For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

BE HUMBLE!!  Let God lift you up!!

10.  Speak / Witness for Jesus boldly – Romans 1:16

Psalm 66:16 = Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Don’t be ashamed of Jesus!! Witness with all you’ve got!!

CONCLUSION:  Why is it important to review the 10 Laws of Excellent Speech every day?

James 3:2 = For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

“Excellent speech is the hallmark of excellent character.”  IF you want to achieve Christian maturity – THEN work on controlling your tongue!!