{"id":759,"date":"2023-07-27T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/?p=759"},"modified":"2026-04-01T16:21:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T16:21:01","slug":"setting-the-example-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/27\/setting-the-example-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"Setting the Example: Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The apostle Paul instructed a young pastor named Timothy \u201cLet no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example<\/strong> in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.\u201d 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the same instruction the apostle Peter gave. Addressing pastors he wrote \u201cAs a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly\u2014not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don\u2019t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.\u201d <\/strong>1 Peter 5:1-3 NLT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word example<\/em> here (\u03c4\u03cd\u03c0\u03bf\u03c2) means \u201cpattern,\u201d or \u201cmodel,\u201d which is what a pastor ought to be to the flock. While none of us will be a perfect example, the people who attend our church (generally speaking) ought to be able to look at our lives and see what a godly life looks like. And according to Paul, we\u2019re to set the example in at least five areas: speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. And in this post we\u2019re focusing in on setting an example with our speech<\/em> (\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE NEGATIVES <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. We\u2019re not to slander. <\/strong>As Solomon put it \u201cThe one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.\u201d Proverbs 10:18 ESV. Or consider the words of the apostle James \u201cBrothers, do not slander one another\u2026\u201d James 4:11 NIV84 Now the question begs: What exactly is slander? Slander is making false and damaging statements about someone with the intent to harm their reputation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. We\u2019re not to gossip. <\/strong>Solomon said \u201cA gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.\u201d Proverbs 11:13 NIV84 The Hebrew word for gossip is \u201cmashal,\u201d which means \u201cto whisper\u201d or \u201cto tell secrets.\u201d So gossip is sharing private or personal information about someone, often in a negative way. As the apostle Paul put it, gossips are people who go around \u201c\u2026saying what they should not.\u201d 1 Timothy 5:13 ESV Now don\u2019t confuse slander and gossip. Slander<\/em> is making a false statement about someone while gossip<\/em> is sharing private information about someone. Solomon speaks to the damaging effect gossip has when he states \u201cA perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.\u201d Proverbs 16:28 NIV84<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. We\u2019re not to complain. <\/strong>Paul said \u201cDo all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world\u2026\u201d Philippians 2:14-15 ESV Likewise, the apostle James instructs, \u201cDo not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.\u201d James 5:9 ESV To grumble is to complain in an intensive and excessive manner\u2014to complain strongly<\/em>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. We\u2019re not to speak in an unwholesome manner. <\/strong>Paul said, \u201cDo not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths\u2026\u201d (Ephesians 4:29a, NIV84). \u201cNor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.\u201d (Ephesians 5:4 NIV84) The word unwholesome (\u03c3\u03b1\u03c0\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2) refers to what is rotten. It was used of rotting fruit, vegetables or other spoiled food. And spoiled language is as foul to God as spoiled food is to us. So off-color jokes, profanity, dirty stories, vulgarity, double entendre and every other form of corrupt talk have no place in the life of a believer (never mind a pastor<\/em>). As Paul put it \u201cBut now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.\u201d Colossians 3:8 NIV84<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. We\u2019re not to lie. <\/strong>Paul writes, \u201c\u2026having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor\u2026\u201d (Ephesians 4:25 ESV) Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.\u201d Colossians 3:9-10 NIV84 <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s because there are so many sinful pits we can fall into any time we open our mouths that Solomon warned \u201cWhen words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.\u201d Proverbs 10:19 ESV So let us pray, as David did, \u201cSet a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.\u201d Psalm 141:3 ESV <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now so far we\u2019ve only covered the negatives so let\u2019s now turn our attention to the positives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. We\u2019re to keep our word. <\/strong>As Solomon put it \u201cIt is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.\u201d Ecclesiastes 5:5 NIV84 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. We\u2019re to give thanks. <\/strong>The psalmist wrote \u201cEnter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!\u201d Psalm 100:4 ESV Likewise, Paul commanded the believers at the church in Thessalonica, \u201cRejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. We\u2019re to encourage. <\/strong>Paul instructed the Christians in Rome, \u201cIf your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.\u201d Romans 12:8 NLT Or as the author of Hebrews put it \u201cAnd let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works\u2026\u201d Hebrews 10:24 ESV<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. We\u2019re to dispense wisdom. <\/strong>In the Old Testament Solomon wrote \u201cOil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.\u201d Proverbs 27:9 ESV Likewise, in the New Testament the apostle Paul shared his expectation that believers be \u201c\u2026 filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another\u201d (Romans 15:14 ESV) that \u201c\u2026it may benefit those who listen.\u201d (Ephesians 4:29a NIV84)  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. We\u2019re to warn. <\/strong>In regards to the unbeliever we warn them about the consequences of rejecting Christ (Colossians 1:28) and in regards to the believer we warn them of getting caught up in sin (Galatians 5:19-21). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. We\u2019re to correct. <\/strong>When the life of a fellow brother or sister in Christ doesn\u2019t conform to the teaching of Scripture, as much as we might not like it, it\u2019s our Christian duty to bring the needed correction (Colossians 3:16) in a gentle and loving way (Galatians 6:1). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. We\u2019re to pray. <\/strong>Jesus said \u201cAnd when<\/em> you pray\u2026\u201d Matthew 6:7 ESV Paul instructs believers \u201c\u2026pray without ceasing\u2026\u201d 1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      So we see that just as God has a plan for our life<\/em>, so God has a plan for our mouth<\/em>. And it\u2019s so important that we fulfill God\u2019s plan for our mouth because Jesus said, \u201c\u2026by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.\u201d Matthew 12:37 ESV <\/strong>That is, on judgment day books will be opened (Revelation 20:12) which will contain the record of the words we spoke. And a review will be made of our words to see if they give evidence of a regenerate heart. And that\u2019s what determines salvation<\/em> or condemnation<\/em>. It’s in this<\/em> sense that Jesus says the determining factor is \u201c\u2026your words\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Again, none of us will be perfect, but the goal for those in church leadership is to set the example in our speech.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The apostle Paul instructed a young pastor named Timothy \u201cLet no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.\u201d 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV  This is the same instruction the apostle Peter gave. Addressing pastors he wrote \u201cAs a fellow elder, I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,12,13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-759","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-leadership","7":"category-scripture","8":"category-staff","9":"entry"},"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Mike","author_link":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/author\/mike\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=759"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1208,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759\/revisions\/1208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}