25 Bible Verses About Our Words (With Commentary)

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but what about our words? From the power to heal to the power to harm, the Bible is filled with wisdom about the impact of our speech. Join us as we uncover the verses that remind us of the responsibility we carry in the words we choose and the importance of using them to uplift and inspire.

Bible Verses About Our Words

Matthew 12:36-37

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

This verse emphasizes the power and importance of our words. It reminds us that our words have consequences and that we will be held accountable for what we say. It is a reminder to be mindful of the impact our words can have on others and to use them wisely.

Proverbs 18:21

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

This verse speaks to the tremendous influence our words can have. It highlights that our words can breathe life into others or bring them down. It’s a clear reminder to choose our words wisely, speaking words that encourage and uplift rather than words that tear down and discourage.

Proverbs 15:1

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

This verse teaches us the power of a gentle and kind response. It emphasizes that responding with gentleness can diffuse conflicts and promote understanding and reconciliation. It reminds us to choose our words carefully, avoiding harsh and inflammatory language that only escalates tensions.

Psalm 141:3

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

This verse is a plea for God’s guidance and help in controlling our words. It acknowledges the propensity for our words to go astray and asks for divine intervention in ensuring that our speech aligns with God’s will. It is a reminder of our need for God’s grace and assistance in speaking words that honor Him.

Ephesians 4:29

“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.”

This verse sets a high standard for our speech. It admonishes us to avoid words that are unwholesome or detrimental and instead encourages us to use our words to build others up. It reminds us that our words have the power to bring benefit and positive impact to those who hear them.

James 1:19

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

This verse offers practical wisdom for our communication. It encourages us to be attentive listeners, thoughtful speakers, and slow to anger. It reminds us of the importance of actively listening and considering others’ perspectives before speaking, promoting understanding and fostering healthy relationships.

Proverbs 10:19

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”

This verse serves as a reminder that excessive talking does not lead to resolution or righteousness. It highlights the wisdom of exercising discretion and restraint when it comes to our words, recognizing that sometimes it is better to keep silent than to say something that may cause harm or perpetuate sin.

Proverbs 12:18

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

This verse contrasts the impact of reckless and wise words. It emphasizes that thoughtless and harsh words can cause pain and damage, while wise and considerate words can bring healing and restoration. It is a reminder of the power our words have to either hurt or uplift those around us.

Colossians 4:6

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

This verse encourages us to have conversations that are characterized by grace and wisdom. It reminds us to approach our interactions with others with kindness and understanding, being mindful of our words so that we can respond in a way that brings positive and beneficial outcomes.

Proverbs 16:24

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

This verse beautifully captures the impact of gracious words. It emphasizes that kind and loving words have the power to uplift and bring healing to the recipient. It reminds us of the importance of speaking words that bring comfort, encouragement, and joy to others.

Matthew 5:37

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in our speech. It calls us to be straightforward and truthful in our words, avoiding the temptation to manipulate or deceive. It reminds us to let our words reflect our true intentions and to steer clear of any form of falsehood or deception.

Proverbs 21:23

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

This verse highlights the wisdom of guarding our words. It emphasizes that being mindful of our speech and exercising self-control can prevent unnecessary trouble and avoid destructive consequences. It is a reminder of the importance of exercising restraint and thoughtfulness in what we say.

Proverbs 13:3

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”

This verse reinforces the idea that words have the power to impact our lives. It highlights that exercising caution and prudence in our speech can lead to preservation and well-being, while hasty and impulsive words can bring about ruin and destruction. It reminds us to be intentional in how we use our words.

1 Peter 3:10

“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”

This verse expresses the connection between the quality of our lives and the words we speak. It teaches us that maintaining purity in our speech, refraining from evil and dishonesty, is essential for experiencing the fullness of God’s blessings and enjoying a life characterized by goodness and joy.

Ephesians 4:15

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

This verse illuminates the importance of speaking the truth in love. It reminds us that honesty should always be accompanied by kindness and compassion. It encourages us to strive for maturity in our speech, aligning our words with the teachings and character of Christ.

Proverbs 17:27-28

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

This verse emphasizes the wisdom of speaking with discretion and self-control. It highlights that those who possess knowledge and understanding are cautious in their speech and exhibit an even-tempered demeanor. It reminds us that sometimes silence is more beneficial than speaking, allowing us to be seen as wise and discerning.

Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

This verse speaks to the importance of guarding our hearts, as our words are a reflection of what is in our hearts. It reminds us that the state of our hearts affects our words, and if we want to speak words that honor God and bring life to others, we must first ensure that our hearts are aligned with His will and filled with His love.

James 3:6

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

This verse vividly illustrates the potential destructive power of our words. It compares the tongue to a fire that can spread chaos and devastation. It serves as a stark warning of the consequences and impact of our speech, reminding us to be cautious and mindful of the words we choose to speak.

Proverbs 29:11

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”

This verse reflects the contrast between wise and foolish communication. It underscores the importance of self-control and emotional maturity in our speech, showing that responding with anger and rage only leads to further conflict and strife. It reminds us to be intentional in our words, seeking to bring calm and resolution rather than adding fuel to the fire.

Colossians 3:8

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

This verse calls us to examine our hearts and rid ourselves of negative and harmful speech. It reminds us to let go of anger, rage, malice, slander, and any other form of unwholesome language, allowing our words to be governed by love, truth, and kindness.

Proverbs 15:4

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

This verse beautifully illustrates the impact of our words on others. It compares a soothing tongue to a tree of life, bringing comfort, encouragement, and nourishment, while a perverse tongue is like a crushing force that causes harm to the spirit. It reminds us to choose our words with care, recognizing their potential to either uplift or tear down.

Matthew 15:18

“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”

This verse draws a direct connection between the condition of our hearts and the words we speak. It reminds us that the root of our speech lies in our hearts, and whatever is in our hearts will ultimately manifest in our words. It is a call to examine and purify our hearts, seeking to align them with the love, truth, and goodness of God.

Proverbs 10:11

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”

This verse contrasts the speech of the righteous and the wicked. It indicates that the words of the righteous bring forth life, while the words of the wicked hide violence and deceit. It reminds us of the transformative power our words can have when spoken in alignment with God’s truth and righteousness.

Proverbs 26:20

“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.”

This verse highlights the role of gossip in perpetuating conflicts and strife. It compares gossip to fuel that keeps a fire burning. It reminds us of the destructive nature of spreading rumors and engaging in malicious talk, encouraging us to instead foster peace and unity through words that bring healing and understanding.

2 Timothy 2:16

“Avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”

This verse warns against engaging in meaningless and godless conversations. It emphasizes that our speech has the power to shape our character and influences how we live. It challenges us to steer clear of gossip, slander, and any form of speech that leads us away from God’s truth and righteousness.

Proverbs 16:23-24

“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

This verse highlights the wisdom of the wise and the impact of their words. It emphasizes that a wise heart leads to prudent speech, promoting instruction and wisdom. It reminds us that gracious words have the power to bring sweetness, healing, and nourishment to the soul.

Proverbs 25:11

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

This verse beautifully captures the beauty and value of a well-spoken word. It compares it to precious and ornate jewelry, highlighting the impact and significance of our words when they are spoken with thoughtfulness and wisdom. It serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of speaking words that bring life and encouragement.

Proverbs 18:4

“The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”

This verse depicts the depth and richness of our words. It compares them to deep waters, suggesting that they carry significance and meaning. It also presents wisdom as a bubbling brook, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God and flows freely, providing refreshment and guidance for our speech.

What Does the Bible Say About Our Words?

The Bible has much to say about the power of our words. In the book of Proverbs, we are reminded that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words have the ability to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage, and to bring life or death. As Christians, we are called to use our words to edify and encourage others (1 Thessalonians 5:11), to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and to let our speech always be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).

Furthermore, the book of James contains a sobering reminder of the potential harm our words can cause. James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a forest on fire, emphasizing the potential for destructive power in our speech (James 3:5-6). He exhorts us to be slow to speak and quick to listen, recognizing the importance of controlling our tongues and using our words for good rather than harm.

Our words also reveal the condition of our hearts. Jesus teaches that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). This means that our words are a reflection of what is in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with love, grace, and truth, our words will reflect those qualities. However, if our hearts are filled with anger, bitterness, or deceit, our words will also reveal those attributes.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be mindful of the words we speak. We are encouraged to use our words to build up others, to speak with love and grace, and to let our speech be a reflection of the goodness of God in our hearts. Our words have the power to impact those around us, and we are urged to use them in a way that honors God and uplifts others.