Can you? While the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees free speech, I guarantee you that if you say something publicly using negative words to describe a race or social behavior, you’ll quickly realize that is TRUE, but you’ll also suffer the consequences of what you say. How do we help our kids use wise words when speaking? Well, there isn’t one easy lesson, but those lessons are laced throughout the Bible. Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble” (ESV). In other places, it warns us not to use corrupt, filthy, or foolish talk. Instead, it encourages gentle, gracious, and encouraging words. Parents, are we leading by example?

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Proverbs 21:23, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6