What Does the Bible Say About Inappropriate Speech?

James 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Romans 13:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Matthew 12:34-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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 person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Matthew 5:29-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

12 Bible Verses about Inappropriate Speech

James 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 13:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 12:34-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:29-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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12 Bible Verses about Inappropriate Speech

James 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:34-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:29-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

James 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 13:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 12:34-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:29-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes