5 Bible Verses that Encourage Christians to Cultivate Clean Speech

Galatians 5:22-23 states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…" 

It's important for Christians to remember that we're called to be a gentle example, especially if we happen to hold a leadership role. When Trump was still on the campaign trail, he had a tendency to use foul language in his speeches. This prompted Evangelist Franklin Graham to write him a letter, which was referenced by Crosswalk last week.

What apparently jumped out at Trump from that letter, which he quoted at a rally, was, "Mr. President, I love your speaking. Your ability to speak is incredible. Your storytelling is great, but it could be so much better if you didn't use foul language."

Graham went on to point out that as a world figure, there are other nations, presidents, and people who look to Trump as an example. Children especially look to world leaders, celebrities and adults in leadership, including their parents, as an example. The speech and actions of parents can set the standard for the next generation.  

Matthew 12:35-37 states, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned."

Jesus makes a comparison that just as a tree is known by its fruit, so are people. Graham pulled from this particular scripture to help make his point for why Trump should avoid using foul language. It's a bit intimidating to consider that there will come a day when "every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the Day of Judgment."

The word for "idle" can also be lazy, useless, and barren, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. The word for "account" can also be reasoning, motive, and intent, to name just a few options, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. So, what we say goes beyond the surface in the eyes of Christ and is attached to the intention of our hearts. If we have a negative or wicked intent and are walking in the works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21), we're not bringing forth good things. Anyone can have a bad moment or a bad day, so what we do on a regular basis is what matters the most to Jesus.

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Philippians 4:8-9 states, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Meditating on the above-noted things will be helpful in cultivating clean speech because it will help with the renewing of our mind through the Word (Romans 12:2). It will also make us more sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit when we have thoughts or do things contrary to the Word. In this day and age, we can choose to have Christian influences and influences from the Bible all around us on a very regular basis. In America, we have Christian movies, Christian radio, podcasts, devotionals from various ministries that can be sent to our email or phones every day, Christian publications on the internet, even GodTube, and so much more available to us each day.

In Psalm 19:12-14 the Psalmist David asked the Lord to "…Cleanse me from secret faults."

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

David was keenly aware of his imperfections, weaknesses, and the sins he committed that had never been made public (as opposed to the ones that the Lord had chosen to make public). Secret sins can be one of the worst hindrances and most damaging of our relationship with the Lord because they can leave us feeling unworthy to be in a relationship with Him. The Lord is quick and ready to forgive when we come before Him with a repentant heart and quick and ready to help us get free in areas where we may be bound so that we can get back to having meditations of the heart that are acceptable in His sight again.  

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In Psalm 119:9-11 it states, "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart, I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."

The Psalmist specifically asks the question, "How can a young man cleanse his way?" Another way to say that could be; how can someone have a pure heart and live a godly life blessed of God?

Whatever we meditate on impacts our thoughts, the way we process life's events, and how we live. What we allow to impact our minds affects our actions.

In Matthew 15:16-20 Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."