J.R. Miller examines the doctrine of sanctified speech in the Christian life, arguing that words must reflect a renewed heart and glorify Christ. Drawing on Matthew 12:34, Ephesians 4:29, and Colossians 4:6, Miller contends that believers' words should impart grace, build others up, and be "seasoned with salt"—characterized by holiness, truth, and love rather than bitterness or sarcasm. He contrasts Christlike speech, which cleanses and blesses like spices sweetening bitter waters, with harsh "pepper" speech that wounds, emphasizing that every conversation presents an opportunity for believers to speak words of encouragement and spiritual uplift.
Outline
I. The Importance of the Heart in Speech
- A. Scriptural Basis
- Matthew 12:34 emphasizes that words reflect the heart's condition.
- B. The Nature of Speech
- Bitter or impure hearts lead to damaging words.
II. The Perils of Idle Speech
- A. Dangers of Excessive Talking
- Most people engage in unhelpful chattering.
- B. Value of Silence
- Silence is preferable to foolish or sinful words.
III. New Testament Guidelines for Redeemed Speech
- A. Paul's Teachings
- Ephesians 4:29 instructs against unwholesome speech.
- Importance of words that build others up.
- B. Characteristics of Graceful Speech
- Imparts grace and blessing to hearers.
IV. The Impact of Edifying Conversation
- A. Examples of Graceful Speakers
- People whose ordinary words uplift and inspire.
- B. Effect on Others
- Conversations can enhance courage and hope.
V. Speech Seasoned with Salt
- A. Meaning of Graceful Speech
- Colossians 4:6 describes speech that is gracious.
- True, reverent, helpful, and inspiring.
- B. The Role of Purity in Speech
- Christian speech should be cleansing and holy.
VI. Contrasting Speech: Salt vs. Pepper
- A. Pressures of Negative Speech
- The impact of sarcasm and bitterness (pepper).
- B. Christlike Speech
- Encouraged to avoid sharp or biting words.
VII. The Call to Constructive Communication
- A. Intentional Conversations
- Aim to speak words that uplift and inspire.
- B. Wisdom of Speech
- Proverbs 12:18 highlights the healing power of wise words.
Key Quotes
“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”
— Matthew 12:34
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up.”
— Ephesians 4:29
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.”
— Colossians 4:6
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
— Proverbs 12:18
“Someone speaks of the words of Jesus as a handful of spices cast into this world's bitter waters to sweeten them.”
Scripture References
- Matthew 12:34: Jesus teaches that our words reveal our heart’s condition.
- Ephesians 4:29: Instructions to Christians regarding wholesome speech meant for building up others.
- Colossians 4:6: Encouragement for gracious conversation that has a positive impact.
- Proverbs 12:18: Contrast between reckless words and the healing power of wise speech.
Doctrinal Themes
- The centrality of the heart in ethical speech.
- The significance of silence and thoughtful communication.
- Edifying speech as a reflection of a redeemed life.
- The necessity for grace and purity in Christian conversations.
- The mandate for believers to avoid bitterness and negativity in discourse.
What does the Bible say about speech?
The Bible emphasizes the importance of speech that builds others up and imparts grace.
Matthew 12:34, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6
How do we know graceful speech is important for Christians?
Graceful speech is vital for Christians as it reflects the transformative power of Christ in our lives.
Ephesians 4:29
Why is it important for Christian speech to be seasoned with salt?
Speech seasoned with salt signifies purity and the ability to preserve and uplift those who hear it.
Colossians 4:6
"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." - Matthew 12:34
Hence we must get our heart right, if we would speak words that are Christlike. A bitter heart cannot give out sweet words — nor can an impure heart speak wholesome, pure words.
Most people talk too much, they chatter on forever. Silence is far better than idle, sinful, or foolish speech.
We have suggestions in the New Testament as to the kind of speech that is worthy of a redeemed life. Paul has some very plain words on the subject: "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 impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29). That is, no word should be spoken which does not . . .
help to build up character,
make those who hear it better,
inspire some good thought, some holy feeling, some kindly act,
or put some touch of beauty upon the life.
A Christian's words should "impart grace to the hearers." That is, they should impart blessing in some way. We all know people whose words have this quality. They are not always exhorting, preaching, or talking religiously — and yet we never speak with them without being the better for it. Their simplest words do us good. They give cheer, courage, and hope. We feel braver and stronger after a little conversation with them, even after a moment's greeting on the street.
In another place Paul says, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6. This means graceful speech, not merely as to its manner — but also as to its quality. It must be speech such as Christ Himself would use if He were in our place, and we know that every word of His was a holy seed. Our speech is to be "full of grace" — it is to be true, reverent, helpful, inspiring.
Our speech should be "seasoned with salt" — that is, it should be pure and clean. Salt preserves from decay and putridity. The Christian's speech should have in it the divine quality of holiness, and its effect should be cleansing and purifying. Someone speaks of the words of Jesus as a handful of spices cast into this world's bitter waters to sweeten them. Every Christian's words should have like influence in society, wherever they are spoken.
The seasoning is important — our speech is to be "seasoned with salt." Love is salt. Truth is salt. Our speech should be always kindly. It should be without bitterness, without malice, without unlovingness in any form. The seasoning should be salt. Some people use pepper instead — and pepper is sharp, biting, pungent. Their speech is full of sarcasm, of censure, of bitterness, of words that hurt and burn. This is not Christlike speech.
We should never be content to talk even five minutes with another — without saying at least a word or two that may do good, that may give a helpful impulse or kindle an upward aspiration.
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." - Proverbs 12:18
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