Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5546 speech » 5550 speech, negative aspects of
The sinfulness of fallen human nature can express itself in speech, provoking God's displeasure and causing enmity and division amongst people.
Evil speech comes from a corrupt heart
Matthew 12:33-35 See also Proverbs 2:12-15; Proverbs 24:1-2; Matthew 15:10-11 pp Mark 7:14-15; Luke 6:43-45
Evil speech is a feature of a corrupt society
Micah 6:12-13 See also Isaiah 6:5; Isaiah 59:1-4,12-15; Jeremiah 9:1-9; Romans 1:29-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Evil speech provokes God's displeasure
Proverbs 12:22 See also Proverbs 6:16-19
Kinds of evil speech
Profaning God's name
Exodus 20:7 pp Deuteronomy 5:11 See also Exodus 22:28; Leviticus 19:12; Psalm 139:19-20
Lies and deceit
Psalm 5:9 See also Psalm 36:3; Psalm 52:1-4; Psalm 62:4; Proverbs 14:5,25; Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 17:20
Foolish boasting
Psalm 94:4 See also Psalm 10:2-6; Psalm 12:3-4; Isaiah 10:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; James 4:13-16; 2 Peter 2:17-18
Ridicule and insults
Proverbs 11:12 See also 1 Samuel 17:41-44; 2 Kings 2:23-24; Nehemiah 2:19; Proverbs 9:7; Lamentations 2:15-16; Matthew 5:22; Matthew 27:39-44 pp Mark 15:29-32 pp Luke 23:35-39; John 9:28-29
Criticism and complaint
Numbers 12:1-15 See also Numbers 16:1-50; 1 Samuel 17:28; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 21:9,19; Proverbs 25:24; Acts 11:2-3; Philippians 2:14-15
Slander
Leviticus 19:16 See also 1 Kings 21:1-14; Proverbs 10:18; James 4:11
Cursing
Exodus 21:17 See also 2 Samuel 16:5-8; Proverbs 20:20; James 3:9-10
Gossip
Proverbs 16:28 See also Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 20:19
Obscenity
Ephesians 5:4 See also Colossians 3:8
Evil speech is silenced
By God's actions
Psalm 107:41-42 See also Psalm 63:11; Ezekiel 16:63
By believers' blameless lives
1 Peter 2:15 See also Titus 2:7-8
See also
5575 talk, idle 5800 blasphemy 5803 carelessness 5820 criticism 5827 curse 5868 gossip 5893 insults 5925 rashness 6121 boasting 6145 deceit 8760 fools, characteristics 8815 ridicule
