What does this verse teach about our speech?

"Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (Luke 21:14-15)
Do not speak ill of others.
Do not worry about what to say in testimony. God Himself will give you the words.
Let your words be pure, your message be of good report.

3 answers

The verse from Luke 21:14-15 emphasizes that we should not be overly anxious or premeditate our responses, especially in challenging situations or when faced with adversaries. Instead, it teaches that we can rely on God to provide us with the right words and wisdom when we need to speak.

From this, we can draw a few key teachings about our speech:

  1. Trust in Divine Guidance: We are encouraged to have faith that God will provide us with the words we need, alleviating the pressure to plan our responses in advance.

  2. Focus on Integrity: While the verse does not explicitly mention speaking ill of others, the broader biblical context encourages us to speak with kindness and integrity, avoiding harmful or negative speech.

  3. Confidence in Testimony: We can approach our testimonies and discussions, especially in the face of opposition, with confidence, knowing that God’s wisdom can shine through our words.

  4. Purposeful Speech: Our words should contribute to a greater purpose and reflect positive values, aligning with the idea of letting our speech be pure and of good report.

In summary, this verse teaches us to rely on God for the right words, to be confident in our communication, and to aim for integrity and positivity in our interactions.

choose one of the answers i said

The answer that best captures the teaching of the verse is: "Do not worry about what to say in testimony. God Himself will give you the words." This aligns directly with the message in Luke 21:14-15, emphasizing trust in God to provide the right words in challenging situations.