Last week we looked at this verse and considered Paul’s advice to Timothy in light our own circumstances and reflected on how we can be an example regardless of our age, our education, our ethnicity or any other area in which someone can be defined.  Paul’s encouragement is valid for us as well – we are to be a godly example and this week, we’ll look at our speech.

We’re going to look at three verses that will help us understand the importance of not only what we say, but how we say it.  The manner in which we speak to one another is just as important as the words we use and Scripture gives us God’s method of conversation.

Our first few verses are from Paul in his letter to Titus, another young leader, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness  and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8 NIV).  Notice that Paul tells Titus, and us, to set the example by doing, what is good – not just talking about doing good.  He then addresses the key part of “doing”, which is teaching.  Our teaching is to be grounded in Scripture and taught with reverence and confidence.  Confidence in the message and not ourselves.  This teaching isn’t just for “teachers” in a classroom setting.  We are all teachers – either in our families, on our jobs or in our community.  Our “teaching” is to be expressing the truth of Christ to others.

Our next couple of verses comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).  The Greek for unwholesome (corrupt in some translations) can be defined as “useless, putrid, unsavory, and obscene”, (Adam Clarke’s Commentary).  Let those definitions rest in your thought for a bit.  I know I have been guilty of saying things that are “useless, putrid, unsavory, and obscene”, and I’m guessing you have too.  But I don’t want to and neither do you.  The words we so casually throw around have great weight and as followers of Christ, we must think before we speak. Why? Because we represent Christ.  If Jesus wouldn’t say it, then we don’t need to say it.

So what do we say to others? We speak words of encouragement, words that give life, words that bless.  We don’t offer flattery just to say something “good”.  We are to speak in truthfulness, offering encouragement that builds faith, and doesn’t cause doubt.  And when we do offer encouragement it benefits those who listen. To me that means anyone in earshot of our conversation may be blessed as well.

The last verses we’ll look at is from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6 NIV).  These two verses are perhaps the best illustration of why our speech is to be grounded in our faith – to demonstrate the reality of Christ to unbelievers.  Notice our speech is to be “full of grace” or gracious to others, especially those who don’t know Christ.  It is not being critical of their lifestyle, nor is it accepting of sin.  We are to speak the truth but speak it graciously, in love.  Notice also that our words are to be “seasoned with salt”.  That phrase speaks to the penetrating effect of the truth of God in relation to sin – salt purifies and cleanses.  Again, we speak God’s truth in all situations but we speak it in love and gentleness.  Jesus never shamed anyone when He spoke to them and neither should we.

Consider this:  If our conversations are no different that those who don’t know Christ, why would they want to know Christ?  However, if our words are encouraging, pleasant, hopeful and joyful, others will notice and wonder what makes us different.  And when they ask why we talk the way we do, we can give testimony to how the love of Christ has changed us from unwholesome talkers to godly encouragers.  And that’s an example our world desperately needs!