25 Bible Verses About Speaking with Kindness + Free Printable
The words we say have so much power. The Bible emphasizes the importance of speaking with kindness, teaching us that our words can build up or tear down those around us. Our speech can influence, heal, and inspire others. But, on the flip side of that, the words we say can also hurt, demoralize, and create conflict.
Understanding the biblical perspective on the power of words can help us choose kindness in our daily interactions. Today I’m sharing 25 Bible verses about speaking with kindness.
The Importance of Having Kindness on Our Tongues
From a young age I understand the power words have. I was often bullied at school and words were used as weapons aimed to hurt my feelings. For much of my life I struggled to heal from those wounds.
In my own family, I’ve also seen how speech, tone of voice, and words can either uplift or tear down. As a mother, I sought temperance in my speech and prayed for a meek and quiet spirit as well as patience. Cultivating patience was a key character trait to helping me let go of frustration and anger so that I no longer felt the need to yell at my children.
I wanted to be like the Proverbs 31 woman with kindness on my tongue – not just for strangers, but also for those I profess to love so much.
Also, tone of voice really does matter! You can say nice words in a snide way and it completely changes the meaning of what you said. The same phrase spoken with a kind, gentle tone can uplift and encourage, whereas the same words delivered with sarcasm or irritation can hurt and demoralize.
Your tone conveys your true feelings and intentions, often more powerfully than the words themselves. It’s important to be mindful not only of what we say but also of how we say it, ensuring our tone matches our message of kindness and love. This consistency in speech and tone fosters genuine communication and strengthens our relationships.
25 Bible Verses about Speaking with Kindness
1. Proverbs 31:26
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
2. Ephesians 4:29
“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 benefit those who listen.”
3. Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
4. Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
5. Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
6. James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
7. Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
8. 1 Peter 3:10
“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’”
9. Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
10. Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
11. Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
12. James 3:5
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
13. Psalm 19:14
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
14. Proverbs 10:19
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
15. Ecclesiastes 10:12
“Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
16. Matthew 15:11
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
17. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
18. Luke 6:45
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
19. Proverbs 13:3
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
20. Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
21. James 3:6
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
22. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
23. Proverbs 25:11
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.”
24. Isaiah 50:4
“The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”
25. Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
These verses remind us that our words have great power and that speaking with kindness is a reflection of our faith. By guarding our tongues and choosing words that uplift and encourage, we can positively impact those around us and honor God with our speech.
Action Steps to Take Today
- Pray and ask God to help you have kindness in your speech.
- Write down any specific areas of speech you want to improve on – maybe you need to be more patient. Maybe you want to do better about giving compliments. Maybe there’s something else you want to work on.
- Download my free printable prayer prompts below, if desired.
- Believe God will help you become like the Proverbs 31 woman with the law of kindness on your tongue!
Reflect on these verses and consider how you can incorporate more kindness into your daily conversations. Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below, and let’s encourage each other to speak with wisdom and kindness.
Free Printable Prayer Prompts
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