Jesus said that “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:3). And we know that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick…” (Jeremiah 17:9). Evil speech, either spoken or devoured, corrupts the soul.

“Evil speech corrupts us…Our wicked speech can burn down our own lives and even our own souls, for the evil use of the tongue is inspired by hell itself (James 3:6).”¹

Do we believe that?

In the Bible, God repeatedly warns His people of pride, arrogance, and evil speech (Prov 8:13). Jesus declared, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matt 12:33-37).

The Apostle Paul commanded the church, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29).

As I was reflecting over these passages, I began to realize how often I engage and subject myself to evil speech.

How often do I speak evil of others?
How often do I listen to evil speech?

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