Wicked Speech
1. Lying & Falsehood: Deliberate distortion of truth to deceive or manipulate.
Proverbs 6:16–19 — “A lying tongue” is among the things the Lord hates.
Colossians 3:9 — “Do not lie to one another.”
Acts 5:1–11 — Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit.
2. False Witness & Slander: Damaging another’s reputation through false or malicious words.
Exodus 20:16 — “You shall not bear false witness.”
Psalm 101:5 — God opposes slanderers.
James 4:11 — “Do not speak evil against one another.”
3. Gossip: Spreading private or harmful information unnecessarily.
Proverbs 11:13 — A gossip betrays confidence.
Proverbs 18:8 — Gossip is like “choice morsels.”
2 Corinthians 12:20 — Quarreling, jealousy, slander, gossip listed among sins.
4. Boasting & Prideful Speech: Self-exalting words that reflects arrogance and self-sufficiency.
Psalm 12:3–4 — “With our tongue we will prevail.”
James 3:5 — The tongue boasts of great things.
1 Samuel 2:3 — “Talk no more so very proudly.”
5. Cursing & Bitter Speech: Words that tear down, wound, and expresses malice.
Romans 3:13–14 — “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
James 3:9–10 — Blessing and cursing from the same mouth.
Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths.”
6. Manipulative Speech: false flattery designed to control or exploit others.
Psalm 12:2 — “With flattering lips and a double heart.”
Proverbs 29:5 — Flattery spreads a net for one’s feet.
Jude 16 — “Showing favoritism to gain advantage.”
7. Angry & Quarrelsome Speech: Combative words that fuels conflict and division
Proverbs 15:1 — A harsh word stirs up anger.
Titus 3:2 — Avoid slander and quarreling.
2 Timothy 2:23–24 — Avoid foolish controversies.
8. Blasphemy: Speaking irreverently or contemptuously about God.
Leviticus 24:16 — Blasphemy against the Lord.
Matthew 12:31–37 — Blasphemy against the Spirit.
Revelation 13:5–6 — The beast utters blasphemies.
9. Double Speech: Saying one thing while meaning another; duplicity.
Psalm 34:13 — Keep your tongue from deceit.
Proverbs 26:24–26 — Hatred concealed by deception.
1 Peter 2:1 — Put away deceit and hypocrisy.
10. Foolish & Corrupt Talk: Speech that is morally corrupt, careless, or spiritually destructive.
Ephesians 5:4 — Filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking.
Ecclesiastes 10:12–14 — A fool’s lips consume him.
Proverbs 10:19 — Where words are many, transgression is not lacking.
Righteous Speech
1. Truth: Words that align with reality and faithfulness.
Zechariah 8:16 — “Speak the truth to one another.”
Ephesians 4:25 — “Putting away falsehood, let each one speak the truth.”
Proverbs 12:22 — “Those who act faithfully are his delight.”
2. Edifying & Life-Giving Speech: Words that strengthen, encourage, and impart grace.
Ephesians 4:29 — Speak what builds up and gives grace.
Proverbs 16:24 — “Gracious words are like a honeycomb.”
Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
3. Gentle & Peaceable Speech: Words that diffuse conflict and reflect heavenly wisdom.
Proverbs 15:1 — A soft answer turns away wrath.
James 3:17 — Wisdom is “peaceable, gentle, open to reason.”
Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech always be gracious.”
4. Confession & Praise: Speech that honors God and openly acknowledges Christ.
Psalm 34:1 — “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Romans 10:9–10 — Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Hebrews 13:15 — A sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips.
5. Wise & Disciplined Speech: Measured, thoughtful communication under self-control.
Proverbs 10:19 — Restraining lips is prudent.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 — “Let your words be few.”
James 1:19 — Quick to hear, slow to speak.
6. Justice & Advocacy Speech: Words that defend the vulnerable and reflects God’s
righteousness.
Proverbs 31:8–9 — “Open your mouth for the mute.”
Isaiah 1:17 — Seek justice, correct oppression.
Micah 6:8 — Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly.
7. Gospel Proclamation: Bold and faithful witness/testimony of/to Christ.
Matthew 28:19–20 — The Great Commission.
Acts 4:20 — “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 — Ambassadors for Christ.
8. Reproof in Love: Words of Honest correction offered with humility and love.
Proverbs 27:5–6 — “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
Ephesians 4:15 — “Speaking the truth in love.”
Galatians 6:1 — Restore gently.
9. Thankfulness & Gratitude: Words that recognize God’s grace and goodness.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
Colossians 3:15–17 — Let thankfulness mark your speech.
Psalm 107:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord.”
10. Integrity: Speech that reflects reliability and moral integrity.
Psalm 15:1–4 — Speaks truth in his heart; keeps his word.
Matthew 5:37 — “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’”
James 5:12 — Let your yes be yes.
1. Lying & Falsehood: Deliberate distortion of truth to deceive or manipulate.
Proverbs 6:16–19 — “A lying tongue” is among the things the Lord hates.
Colossians 3:9 — “Do not lie to one another.”
Acts 5:1–11 — Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit.
2. False Witness & Slander: Damaging another’s reputation through false or malicious words.
Exodus 20:16 — “You shall not bear false witness.”
Psalm 101:5 — God opposes slanderers.
James 4:11 — “Do not speak evil against one another.”
3. Gossip: Spreading private or harmful information unnecessarily.
Proverbs 11:13 — A gossip betrays confidence.
Proverbs 18:8 — Gossip is like “choice morsels.”
2 Corinthians 12:20 — Quarreling, jealousy, slander, gossip listed among sins.
4. Boasting & Prideful Speech: Self-exalting words that reflects arrogance and self-sufficiency.
Psalm 12:3–4 — “With our tongue we will prevail.”
James 3:5 — The tongue boasts of great things.
1 Samuel 2:3 — “Talk no more so very proudly.”
5. Cursing & Bitter Speech: Words that tear down, wound, and expresses malice.
Romans 3:13–14 — “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
James 3:9–10 — Blessing and cursing from the same mouth.
Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths.”
6. Manipulative Speech: false flattery designed to control or exploit others.
Psalm 12:2 — “With flattering lips and a double heart.”
Proverbs 29:5 — Flattery spreads a net for one’s feet.
Jude 16 — “Showing favoritism to gain advantage.”
7. Angry & Quarrelsome Speech: Combative words that fuels conflict and division
Proverbs 15:1 — A harsh word stirs up anger.
Titus 3:2 — Avoid slander and quarreling.
2 Timothy 2:23–24 — Avoid foolish controversies.
8. Blasphemy: Speaking irreverently or contemptuously about God.
Leviticus 24:16 — Blasphemy against the Lord.
Matthew 12:31–37 — Blasphemy against the Spirit.
Revelation 13:5–6 — The beast utters blasphemies.
9. Double Speech: Saying one thing while meaning another; duplicity.
Psalm 34:13 — Keep your tongue from deceit.
Proverbs 26:24–26 — Hatred concealed by deception.
1 Peter 2:1 — Put away deceit and hypocrisy.
10. Foolish & Corrupt Talk: Speech that is morally corrupt, careless, or spiritually destructive.
Ephesians 5:4 — Filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking.
Ecclesiastes 10:12–14 — A fool’s lips consume him.
Proverbs 10:19 — Where words are many, transgression is not lacking.
Righteous Speech
1. Truth: Words that align with reality and faithfulness.
Zechariah 8:16 — “Speak the truth to one another.”
Ephesians 4:25 — “Putting away falsehood, let each one speak the truth.”
Proverbs 12:22 — “Those who act faithfully are his delight.”
2. Edifying & Life-Giving Speech: Words that strengthen, encourage, and impart grace.
Ephesians 4:29 — Speak what builds up and gives grace.
Proverbs 16:24 — “Gracious words are like a honeycomb.”
Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
3. Gentle & Peaceable Speech: Words that diffuse conflict and reflect heavenly wisdom.
Proverbs 15:1 — A soft answer turns away wrath.
James 3:17 — Wisdom is “peaceable, gentle, open to reason.”
Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech always be gracious.”
4. Confession & Praise: Speech that honors God and openly acknowledges Christ.
Psalm 34:1 — “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Romans 10:9–10 — Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Hebrews 13:15 — A sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips.
5. Wise & Disciplined Speech: Measured, thoughtful communication under self-control.
Proverbs 10:19 — Restraining lips is prudent.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 — “Let your words be few.”
James 1:19 — Quick to hear, slow to speak.
6. Justice & Advocacy Speech: Words that defend the vulnerable and reflects God’s
righteousness.
Proverbs 31:8–9 — “Open your mouth for the mute.”
Isaiah 1:17 — Seek justice, correct oppression.
Micah 6:8 — Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly.
7. Gospel Proclamation: Bold and faithful witness/testimony of/to Christ.
Matthew 28:19–20 — The Great Commission.
Acts 4:20 — “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 — Ambassadors for Christ.
8. Reproof in Love: Words of Honest correction offered with humility and love.
Proverbs 27:5–6 — “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
Ephesians 4:15 — “Speaking the truth in love.”
Galatians 6:1 — Restore gently.
9. Thankfulness & Gratitude: Words that recognize God’s grace and goodness.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
Colossians 3:15–17 — Let thankfulness mark your speech.
Psalm 107:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord.”
10. Integrity: Speech that reflects reliability and moral integrity.
Psalm 15:1–4 — Speaks truth in his heart; keeps his word.
Matthew 5:37 — “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’”
James 5:12 — Let your yes be yes.