Evil-speakers
Jump to: ConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:
Evil-speakers are individuals who engage in harmful, malicious, or slanderous speech against others. This behavior is characterized by the intent to damage reputations, spread falsehoods, or sow discord among people. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of evil-speaking, emphasizing the destructive power of the tongue and the moral responsibility of believers to use their words wisely.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 6:16-19 · This passage lists seven things that the Lord detests, including "a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." Evil-speaking is closely associated with bearing false witness and causing division, both of which are condemned by God.

2. James 3:5-6 · James provides a vivid description of the tongue's potential for evil: "So also the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." This passage underscores the tongue's capacity to cause significant harm, likening it to a destructive fire.

3. Ephesians 4:29 · The Apostle Paul instructs believers: "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This verse highlights the importance of using speech constructively rather than destructively.

4. Psalm 34:13 · The psalmist advises, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech." This exhortation reflects the broader biblical theme of guarding one's speech to align with righteousness and truth.

5. 1 Peter 3:10 · Peter echoes the psalmist's sentiment: "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.'" This verse connects the quality of one's life with the discipline of controlling one's speech.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

Evil-speaking is not merely a social faux pas but a serious moral failing with spiritual consequences. The Bible teaches that words have the power to bless or curse, to heal or wound. As such, believers are called to exercise self-control and to speak in ways that reflect the character of Christ. The destructive nature of evil-speaking is contrasted with the edifying and grace-filled speech that should characterize the Christian community.

Practical Considerations:

1. Self-Examination: Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts and motives, recognizing that evil-speaking often stems from deeper issues such as envy, bitterness, or pride.

2. Repentance and Reconciliation: When guilty of evil-speaking, Christians are called to repent and seek reconciliation with those they have wronged, in accordance with Matthew 5:23-24.

3. Cultivating Positive Speech: The Bible encourages the cultivation of speech that is truthful, loving, and edifying. Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

4. Community Accountability: The Christian community plays a role in holding one another accountable, promoting an environment where evil-speaking is discouraged and positive, constructive communication is fostered.

Conclusion:

The biblical perspective on evil-speaking is clear: it is a sin that believers must actively avoid. Through the guidance of Scripture and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to use their words to build up rather than tear down, reflecting the love and truth of Christ in all their interactions.
Library

After this Preface as to the Falsification by Heretics of the ...
... mankind, and thieves, but those also who have done evil of a less flagrant kind,
since it is written; [3122] Neither drunkards nor evil speakers shall inherit ...
/.../18 after this preface as.htm

I Might Well Reply as I have done Even if it were a Question of a ...
... You are attacking a creature who has horns: and, if it were not that I lay to heart
the words of the Apostle "The evil speakers shall not inherit the kingdom ...
/.../31 i might well reply.htm

The Cure of Evil-Speaking
... Alas for Protestants, for Reformed Christians! O, "who will rise up with me against
the wicked?" "Who will take God's part" against the evil-speakers? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 49 the cure of.htm

Self-Inspection.
... life, and see whether, after all, there be not something there which is wrong or
unwise, and which may be altered, so as to cut off occasion from evil speakers ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlviii self-inspection.htm

That the Catholic Faith May be Confirmed Even by the Dissensions ...
... grief in the hearts of the pious, both because many who wish to be Christians are
compelled by their dissensions to hesitate, and many evil-speakers also find ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 51 that the catholic faith.htm

As his Lungs were Affected, He Meditates Withdrawing Himself from ...
... say, renders verse 3: "Quid detur tibi aut quid apponatur tibi ad linguam
dolosam,"--that is, shall be given as a defence against the tongues of evil speakers. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii as his lungs were.htm

Ep. Xlviii. To Basil.
... And do you, as my reward, pay off those blessed and empty hopes, which you devised
against the evil speakers, who accused you of insulting me on pretence of ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xlviii to basil.htm

Against Vain Judgments of Men
... Therefore he committed all to God, who knew all, and by patience and humility defended
himself against evil speakers, or foolish and false thinkers, and those ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxxvi against vain judgments.htm

To Eulogius the Oeconomus.
... preaching two sons. Exert, I implore you, in this case too your divine energy,
and stop the mouths of the evil speakers. In conflicts ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cv to eulogius the oeconomus.htm

Epistle xv. To Clementina, Patrician .
... It has reached us by the report of a certain Abbot that your Glory has been told
by certain evil-speakers that we have a pique against you. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xv to clementina patrician.htm

Thesaurus
Evil-speakers (2 Occurrences)
Evil-speakers. Evil-smelling, Evil-speakers. Evilspeaking .
Multi-Version Concordance Evil-speakers (2 Occurrences). ...
/e/evil-speakers.htm - 7k

Evilspeaking

/e/evilspeaking.htm - 9k

Unkind (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:2 for men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters,
proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind, (YLT). ...
/u/unkind.htm - 8k

Ungrateful (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:2 for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant,
evilspeakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane, (DBY NAS RSV NIV ...
/u/ungrateful.htm - 7k

God-haters (1 Occurrence)
... God-haters (1 Occurrence). Romans 1:30 evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (YLT NIV). ...
/g/god-haters.htm - 6k

Insulting (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NIV). Romans 1:30 evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (YLT). ...
/i/insulting.htm - 9k

Evil-smelling (2 Occurrences)
Evil-smelling. Evils, Evil-smelling. Evil-speakers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Evils, Evil-smelling. Evil-speakers . Reference Bible.
/e/evil-smelling.htm - 6k

Disobey (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Romans 1:30 evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (See NIV). ...
/d/disobey.htm - 11k

Speakers (6 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Timothy 3:2 for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful,
arrogant, evilspeakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane, (DBY YLT) ...
/s/speakers.htm - 8k

Resources
What is the Church of Spiritualism? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Evil-speakers (2 Occurrences)

Romans 1:30
evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
(YLT)

2 Timothy 3:2
for men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind,
(YLT)

Subtopics

Evil-speakers

Related Terms

Evil-speaking (5 Occurrences)

Evil-speakers (2 Occurrences)

Evil-smelling
Top of Page
Top of Page