5547 speech, power and significance of

A person’s speech has an enormous influence for good or ill and is a sure guide to character.

The impact of speech

It has the power of life and death Pr 18:21; Jas 3:1-12 See also Pr 15:2,4

It can bring ruin or joy to the speaker Pr 12:13-14 See also Ps 140:9; Pr 10:14; Pr 13:3; Pr 14:3; Pr 18:6-7,20; Pr 21:23; Ecc 10:12-14

It can destroy others Pr 11:9 See also Job 19:2; Ps 55:20-21; Ps 57:4; Ps 64:3-4; Ps 140:3; Pr 11:11; Pr 12:6,18; Pr 16:27

It can bring life to others Pr 10:11 See also Pr 10:20-21,31-32; Pr 16:21,23-24; Pr 25:12; Isa 50:4; Eph 4:29

The timing of speech

There is an appropriate time for speaking Ecc 3:1-8 See also Pr 15:23,28; Pr 25:11-12

There is an appropriate time for silence Pr 11:12-13 See also 1Sa 10:27; Pr 10:19; Pr 17:27-28; Pr 21:23; Pr 26:4; Ecc 5:2-3; Am 5:13; Hab 2:20; Zep 1:7; Jas 1:19

Spoken witness produces faith

Ro 10:17 See also Isa 50:4; Ac 2:40-41; Ac 28:23-24; 1Pe 3:15

Jesus Christ was silent before his accusers

1Pe 2:22-23 See also Mt 26:63 pp Mk 14:61; Mt 27:14 pp Mk 15:5; Lk 23:9; Jn 19:8-9

Speech is an expression of a person’s character

Mt 12:34-37 See also Ps 5:9; Ps 15:1-5; Mt 15:10-20 pp Mk 7:14-23; Lk 6:45; Jas 1:26; Rev 14:5

See also