If social media existed when the Scriptures were written, what would they say about it? Jeff revises verses from the Bible about speech to answer this question. Click on the player above to listen or scroll down for the shownotes!

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Snippet from the Show

“Rash tweets are like sword thrusts, but the tweet of the wise brings healing.”

SHOWNOTES

1. The Seriousness of the Tongue
   • James 3 2-10 – For we all make many mistakes, and if anyone makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so. 
   • Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
   • Matthew 12:33-37 – We will give an account for what we say. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
   • Proverbs 21:23 – He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
     
     
2. Tearing Down
   • Proverbs 10:18 – He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who utters slander is a fool.
   • Proverbs 25:28 – A man without self-control  is like a city broken into and left without walls.
   • Proverbs 11:9 –  With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
   • Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)- There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
     
     
3. Calumny & Detraction
   • Calumny
     • CCC 2477 –  “of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.”
     • CCC 2479 – “Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.”
     • Proverbs 26:17-28 – Like somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears is one who meddles in the quarrel of another. Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows, so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart. An enemy dissembles in speaking while harboring deceit within; when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it, for there are seven abominations concealed within; though hatred is covered with guile, the enemy’s wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
     • Proverbs 17:9 – One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. 
   • Detraction
     • CCC 2477 “of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them.”
4. Building Up
   • Ephesians 4:29 – Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
   • Proverbs 12:18 – Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
   • Psalms 37:30 – The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice.
   • Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
   • Psalms 39:1 – I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
   • Job 27:4 – my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.
     
     
5. Have a Plan That You Have Practices
   • Proverbs 15:28 – The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
   • James 1:19-20 – You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
   • Proverbs 17:28 – Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.
   • Psalm 141:3 – Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD, keep watch over the door of my lips!
   • Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
   • Proverbs 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech.
   • Exodus 14:14 – The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still. 
   • Conclusion
   • James 1:26 – If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain.
   • 1 Peter 3:10 –  He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile;
   • Your speech can build up, correct, comfort and encourage. Give God control of your mouth.

Resources in this Episode

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• The Great Adventure Bible
• Kergyma Card
• Activated Disciple
• Jeff Cavins Pilgrimages 

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