What should our speech be like? What should be our usual way of talking? It’s in the Bible, Colossians 4:6, NIV. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, . . . so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

God asks us to rid ourselves of foul language. It’s in the Bible, Colossians 3:8, NIV. “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

“Dirty stories, foul talk and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, remind each other of God’s goodness and be thankful!” (Ephesians 5:4, TLB).

The Ten Commandments forbid the misuse of God’s name. It’s in the Bible, Exodus 20:7, TLB. “You shall not use the name of Jehovah your God irreverently, nor use it to swear to a falsehood. You will not escape punishment if you do.”

Our words affect our lives. It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 13:3, NIV. “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”

What we believe is reflected in what we say. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 12:34, 35, NIV. “How can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

God will hold us responsible for the words we speak. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 12:36, 37, NIV. “Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The words we use influence others. It’s in the Bible, 1 Timothy 4:12, NIV. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

What should characterize our way of speaking? It's in the Bible, Ephesians 5:4, TLB. "Dirty stories, foul talk and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead remind each other of God's goodness and be thankful!"