Your Speech Makes You Known

Joe R. Price

A person’s speech is an identifying trait. Even though it has been almost twenty years since I lived in Texas people still identify my origin by listening to me speak. Peter was from Galilee, and his speech made him known, too (Matt. 26:73).

Our speech makes known our moral values. God’s word teaches to “let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29). When something is corrupt it is rotten and putrefied. Much of the language used today aptly fits that description. Remembering that our speech reflects the heart, how can expect to be “pure in heart” when our words are defiled?

Our speech makes known our spiritual values. Most people talk about what interests them. It follows that if the gospel holds a significant part of our interest we will talk about it to others (Rom. 1:15; 2 Tim. 2:2). Jeremiah could not keep himself from speaking in the name of God (Jer. 20:9). How easy (or difficult) is it for you to talk about Christ and His truth to others?

Our speech makes known our eternal values. By confessing Jesus in word and deed we proclaim our interest in things eternal (Rom. 10:9-10; Matt. 10:32-33). To be confessed by the Father we must confess Jesus here on earth.

Our speech makes known our value of others. Speech seasoned with grace will increase our opportunities to truly help those around us (Col. 4:6; Prov. 15:1-2). If we speak against one another we do not show brotherly love, only self-interest and contempt for our fellow-Christian (Jas. 4:11-12).

Yes, your speech makes you known!