30 Bible Verses About Being Careful What You Say

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV):

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV):

“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.”
Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV):

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV):

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
James 3:5-6 (NIV):

“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. 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.”
Proverbs 21:23 (NIV):

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV):

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Matthew 15:18 (NIV):

“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV):

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Proverbs 10:19 (NIV):

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV):

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
Psalm 141:3 (NIV):

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
James 1:26 (NIV):

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
Proverbs 17:27 (NIV):

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV):

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Psalm 19:14 (NIV):

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Proverbs 18:7 (NIV):

“The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.”
Proverbs 13:3 (NIV):

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 29:20 (NIV):

“Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
Matthew 5:37 (NIV):

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Proverbs 4:24 (NIV):

“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV):

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 18:13 (NIV):

“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
Matthew 12:34b (NIV):

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV):

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Proverbs 10:32 (NIV):

“The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”
Ephesians 5:4 (NIV):

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
Proverbs 25:11 (NIV):

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.”
Colossians 3:8 (NIV):

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Proverbs 10:20 (NIV):

“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.”