Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
—Psalm 19:14
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
—Proverbs 15:4
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
—Isaiah 42:2-3
“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ”
—Matthew 15:18
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
—Hebrews 5:1-3
The Scriptures contain direct instruction to speak kindly and gently. It also offers examples of that behavior. What does it mean to speak kindly and gently?
Gentle speech is healing to spirit, mind, and body; the tree of life brings healing to the whole person. The proverb contrasts it with “perverseness”—vicious speech which distorts the truth and the one who accepts it. In everyday terms, we understand the damaging effects on thinking and the body of stress, including that triggered by lying or hate-filled speech.
Gentle speech builds connections from heart to heart; those connections bring healing to broken or fragile relationships. That is the way that Joseph spoke to rebuild a trusting relationship with his brothers, the way that the Levite spoke to his unfaithful concubine late in the book of Judges, the way that Joab urged David to speak to the faithful who had defended him against Absolom, and the way that Hosea records the Lord speaking to His unfaithful people.
Gentle speech brings good things to the hearer; its words—coupled with action—benefit the recipient instead of the speaker. The books of Kings and Jeremiah both record the king of Babylon speaking kindly to Jehoiachin, extending mercy and grace that Jehoiachin's former actions did not deserve. (It is fascinating to read some of the traditions around the effect of Jehoiachin's imprisonment on his heart.)
Gentle speech shows moderation without evil or quarreling; it de-escalates and attempts to be at peace. Paul's explicit instruction on speech in the letter to Titus, as well as his broader teaching on peacefulness, emphasize this quality of thought, speech, and life.
Gentle speech is carefully measured; it comes from a heart that has learned obedience. The letter of Hebrews pointed to the One and Only perfect High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and intercedes for us.
If that is what He learned and what He does, then all who would follow Him must do likewise.
Gentle Speech
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
—Psalm 19:14
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
—Proverbs 15:4
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
—Isaiah 42:2-3
“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ”
—Matthew 15:18
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
—Hebrews 5:1-3
The Scriptures contain direct instruction to speak kindly and gently. It also offers examples of that behavior. What does it mean to speak kindly and gently?
Gentle speech is healing to spirit, mind, and body; the tree of life brings healing to the whole person. The proverb contrasts it with “perverseness”—vicious speech which distorts the truth and the one who accepts it. In everyday terms, we understand the damaging effects on thinking and the body of stress, including that triggered by lying or hate-filled speech.
Gentle speech builds connections from heart to heart; those connections bring healing to broken or fragile relationships. That is the way that Joseph spoke to rebuild a trusting relationship with his brothers, the way that the Levite spoke to his unfaithful concubine late in the book of Judges, the way that Joab urged David to speak to the faithful who had defended him against Absolom, and the way that Hosea records the Lord speaking to His unfaithful people.
Gentle speech brings good things to the hearer; its words—coupled with action—benefit the recipient instead of the speaker. The books of Kings and Jeremiah both record the king of Babylon speaking kindly to Jehoiachin, extending mercy and grace that Jehoiachin's former actions did not deserve. (It is fascinating to read some of the traditions around the effect of Jehoiachin's imprisonment on his heart.)
Gentle speech shows moderation without evil or quarreling; it de-escalates and attempts to be at peace. Paul's explicit instruction on speech in the letter to Titus, as well as his broader teaching on peacefulness, emphasize this quality of thought, speech, and life.
Gentle speech is carefully measured; it comes from a heart that has learned obedience. The letter of Hebrews pointed to the One and Only perfect High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and intercedes for us.
If that is what He learned and what He does, then all who would follow Him must do likewise.