As human beings, we are to love one another. One way to love one another is by our speech. The situation we find ourselves in, many times affects the way we speak. We may loose a loved one, fail an exam, loose our job, or be criticised by another person. When that happens, how do we respond, do we find gracious words coming from our hearts, do we stop speaking, do we lash out at others? Or do we act as if it doesn't matter and become flippant, saying things that are not intended to hurt, but yet are not helpful, sincere, and what we know would be best? If we find ourselves doing the latter, it is called jesting. Sometimes we may do it to impress others with our wit, and get a laugh out of people, or perhaps we aim to protect ourselves by making a dig at others. Whatever the case, it brings into our lives a shallowness and self-centeredness. If our minds are only thinking of witty things to say or things that will hurt others, we will not speak as we are encouraged to in the Injil, Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Being filled with the Spirit -- Injil, Ephesians 5:18-20 speaks about our speech in regard to being filled with the Spirit, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Testifying of our Faith -- Injil, 1 Peter 3:15-16 speaks how we are to answer about our faith, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Shameful actions -- Injil, Ephesians 5:12 speaks of talking about disgraceful things, "For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

Building Others Up -- Injil, Ephesians 4:29 speaks of speech that builds others up, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Unnecessary Joking -- Injil, Ephesians 5:4 relates silly talk and course joking to immoralty, greed and impurity, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person --such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

Speech and Godly Living
We further see the importance of this matter when we look at Injil, James 1:26, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." Injil, Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus in Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." There is a definite link here between what we say and living a godly life.

Speech in the Pressure of Life
One of my professors once said, "When a nation is under pressure it goes to merry-making." This is not just true of nations, but also of individuals as well. We have many pressures in our society today. What will we be tempted to do? Will we speak evil of our leaders, or pray for them? Injil, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." Will we complain about our misfortune or thank God for it? We may think that our speech just affects ourselves but actually it affects everyone we meet. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Being Honest about our Speech
If you are one who can identify with this problem, do you actually possess the Spirit of God, for the Holy Bible says, "For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks" (Injil, Luke 6:45b). Or perhaps you are not being obedient to the Holy Spirit that you humbly asked God to give you. You may have thought, "If I agree with what the Bible says, I may have to admit that I have been wrong, or I may become a boring person, or maybe my friends will reject me." It may mean that you may need to stop and consider what kind of person you are and what kind of person you want to be. The Bible says, ". . .the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his live on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Out of of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" (Injil, James 3:5-6, 10-11)

God wants to give us his best. Let's humble ourselves and let him control our speech.