Let's Go Back to the Bible

“If you can’t say anything nice…”

God’s Word has much to say about what we say (and what we shouldn’t say). Consider this direct command, “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren” (Jas. 4:11). Other translations have, “Do not speak against” (NASB), and, “Do not speak evil against” (ESV) “one another.” This is sometimes one of the easiest traps in which to fall, but let us be reminded that we are to “put away…all slander” (1 Pet. 2:1), for “whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Prov. 10:18).

It takes two to have a conversation–the speaker and the hearer. Evil words must first be generated from evil thoughts. And then, once they’re spoken, evil-speaking requires evil-hearing. There must be someone who enjoys hearing bad things about brethren.

Agape love will not permit one to speak evil of a brother, and agape love will not permit one to listen to evil about a brother. This is not some trivial matter, for my tongue (and my ears) can have a direct impact on whether I “dwell in [God’s] holy hill” or not (Psa. 15:1-3).