14 Bible Verses About Speaking Positive Words

We all deal with frustration.  It’s not wrong or sinful to feel frustrated or disappointed, but our responses can lead us to sin.  Today, we’ll have an honest conversation about how to respond in these moments.  We’ll also explore a list of Bible verses about speaking positive words.

Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God.

14 Bible Verses About Speaking Positive Words

Let’s see what God’s Word says about our words.

Bible Verses About Speaking Positive Words

1. James 1:19-20 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Imagine how different the world would be if we all learned to be slower to speak and quicker to listen.

One way to align ourselves with God is to learn to listen well and weigh our words carefully before we speak.

2. Proverbs 14:29

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Are you slow to anger?

Ask God to help you grow in this area.  There is a time to be angry, but we are told not to sin in our anger.

Ask God to help you bear the fruit of patience.

3. Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

We speak from the overflow of our hearts.

When we spend time meditating on God and God’s Word, our hearts are purified and renewed.

Ask God to align your heart with his so that you speak words that honor him.

4. Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Again, this verse reminds us to turn to God and ask him to help us keep anger in check.

5. Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

The flesh resists God.  Our flesh will always want its way, which includes grumbling and speaking negative words.

We are to walk in the Spirit, putting to death the desires of the flesh, including the desire to speak negative words.

6. Colossians 3:8

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Speaking positive words includes staying away from inappropriate language and joking.

More Bible Verses About Speaking Positive Words

7. Proverbs 16:32

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Again, we are reminded to keep anger in check.

8. Philippians 2:14

Do all things without grumbling or disputing.

We all feel temped to grumble at times.

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul warned them not to grumble or complain.

9. James 5:9

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

Furthermore, we are not to grumble against one another.

10. 1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

This verse refers to our speech as well.

We are to do all things to God’s glory, including speaking positive words.

11. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

God’s will is that you will be thankful and speak words of gratitude always.

12. Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Do your words give grace to those who hear?

If not, what is God revealing to you?

13. Exodus 16:8

And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

When we complain about our circumstances, we are actually complaining about God because he is sovereign over all things.

May we learn to willingly receive all that God grants with open hands and open hearts.

14. Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

This is a sober warning.

Every day, we choose to speak life or death.

What will you choose?

~~~

Let’s apply these Bible verses about speaking positive words to our lives. I invite you to join our family in a frustrating situation, and we’ll draw four applications from these Scriptures.

Practical Applications of These Bible Verses About Speaking Positive Words

We put the trip to camp on the calendar and crossed off the white boxes with eager expectation. Winter felt like it might never end, and we all needed something to look forward to. I was desperate for some space to step back and take a break from the everyday grind.

Wild places help me find my roots like nowhere else in the world, and I couldn’t wait to get to the woods.

At last, the weekend arrived.

We packed the bags, loaded the kids, and headed north.

Saturday dawned grey and soggy.

As the day wore on, it became clear it was going to rain all day.  We played board games, drew pictures, and read books.  We wore our raincoats into the torrential downpour approximately every four hours, leaving time for tiny boots and jackets to dry out, only to be soaked again.

Sunday morning dawned soggy again.  We packed the truck and headed south with slightly deflated spirits. We’d made memories and made the most of the weekend.  But we missed the sunshine and time outside.

“You want to put another trip on the calendar for June?” Darrell asked as the kids dozed in the backseat.

“I don’t know. It’ll probably rain the whole time again,” I commented snarkily.

Immediately, two words ran through my mind: Speak life.

Choosing Our Words Carefully

These two words, “Speak life,” are a common phrase in some of the circles I frequent.

I’ve heard them quoted in Bible study meetings, sermons, and songs.

I’m drawn to these two simple words.  I believe I’m drawn to them because they align with God’s heart.

God commands us not to complain.  When we complain about our circumstances, we’re inadvertently complaining about the One who orchestrates all circumstances.

When we complain about our circumstances, we’re inadvertently complaining about the One who orchestrates all circumstances. #complaining #gratitude #thankfulness #honoringGod Share on X

On one level, complaining about the weather is complaining that God’s plans for our weekend didn’t match my plans.

Complaining about the construction on the highway, the service at the restaurant, or the calling on my life is deeper than mere frustration over external circumstances.  On a deeper level, these complaints question God’s timing.  They overlook the circumstances God has ordained to bless others through me.

“I should be more intentional about speaking life,” I told Darrell as we headed south into the sunshine. “Let’s pick a weekend in June.  We’ll make the most of whatever weekend we choose, rain or shine.”

4 Ways to Practice Speaking Positive Words

As we headed home, I made a quiet abjuration to be more intentional about speaking life.

Our words matter.

Our words hold the power to pull us from bad moods.

We can overcome anger by speaking words of life.  Let’s look at four ways to react in gentleness when we feel angry by pausing and choosing our words.

1. Relentlessly refuse to complain.

Philippians 2:14 reminds us to do all things without complaining.

The Amplified version puts it this way: Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God].

When we complain about our lives, we are questioning God’s providence. We are complaining to God about God. This puts a new twist on the idea of complaining.

You’re not really complaining about your leaky faucet or meager income.  You’re complaining about the providence of God.

2. Look for what’s right, not what’s wrong.

It’s easy to find fault in pretty much any situation.

We can look at our friends, coworkers, employers, children, and husbands and list their faults, or we can look for the good.

We can complain about a rainy weekend, or we can give thanks for the people with whom we get to spend the long weekends indoors.

There’s always an invitation to look for what’s right instead of what’s wrong. Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks; therefore, when our hearts are set on what is good, our mouths will speak life. (For a full post on looking for what’s right, join me here.)

3. Fill yourself with Truth every morning.

We need to consider how we begin our days.

Beginning the day with the Word of God is important. We often speak the same words we put in. If the morning news or talk radio starts the day, our hearts are not set on what is pure, lovely, excellent, and admirable.

To speak words of life out, begin by putting words of life in first thing.

4. Ask God to align your heart with his heart.

God is merciful and patient.

Every morning, I ask God to align my heart with his heart.  I spend some time worshiping him in song.  I read my Bible, and God uses his Word to renew my mind.

In the process, God transforms me.  He is slowly shaping me from a woman who complains to a woman who gives thanks.  He wants to do this in your life, too.

~~~

If these Bible verses about speaking positive words blessed you, I invite you to explore our devotional books and free library of eBooks below.  Be blessed as you draw near to God!

Calling All Parents and Grandparents!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God.  Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision.  They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love.  You can find all three books here or read more below.

Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom.  Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world.  I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven!  You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord.  Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion.  I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven.  Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20.  It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing.  This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start.  Bekah and I will help you right here.

Find Our Family Devotionals Here

Find all three books right here.  They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial!  These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them.  Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.

Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life.  Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here.  (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God

God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment.  Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us.  I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment.  Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free.  I invite you to explore the collection right here!