“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” — Matthew 12:34
If we would speak Christlike words, we must first have a right heart. A bitter heart cannot produce sweet speech, and an impure heart cannot give rise to pure and wholesome words. Too many people talk far too much—words flow endlessly, yet say little of value. Silence is far better than speech that is idle, careless, or sinful.
The New Testament gives us clear guidance on what our speech should be. Paul writes, “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). No word should be spoken that does not, in some way, strengthen character, benefit those who hear it, awaken a good thought, stir a holy affection, encourage a kind action, or add something of beauty to life.
A Christian’s words should “impart grace” to those who hear them. They should carry blessing. We all know people like this. They are not always preaching or speaking about religious things, yet we never leave a conversation with them unchanged. Their simplest words bring good. They give courage, hope, and strength. Even a brief greeting from them leaves us better than before.
Paul also says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). This speaks not only of manner, but of substance. Our words should be the kind Christ Himself would speak—true, reverent, helpful, and uplifting. Every word of His was like seed, and so should ours be.
Our speech must also be “seasoned with salt.” Salt preserves from decay. In the same way, our words should carry purity and holiness, working to cleanse rather than corrupt. Christ’s words have been described as spices cast into bitter waters to make them sweet. Our words should have the same effect wherever they are spoken.
This seasoning matters. Love is salt. Truth is salt. Our speech should be kind, free from bitterness, malice, and harshness. Some, however, use not salt but pepper—their words are sharp, cutting, and full of criticism. They wound and burn. This is not the speech of Christ.
We should never be content to spend even a few minutes in conversation without saying something that does good—something that encourages, lifts, or points the soul upward.
-J.R. Miller (1898) – Updated for today’s Reader
The Fight of Faith 