Importance of Praising God and Saying Good Words as Mentioned in the Gospel

Praising God

When he [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. (Luke, 19:37)

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke, 18:43)

And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (Luke, 24:53)

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God. (Acts, 2:46)

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke, 2:20)

... He [Zachariah] began to speak, praising God. (Luke, 1:64)

With the tongue we praise our Lord... (James, 3:9)

... The Gentiles may glorify God for His Mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your Name." Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him, all you peoples." (Romans, 15:9-11)

And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "woman, you are freed from your disability." And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. (Luke, 13:11-13)

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. (Luke, 17:15)

When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, Who had given such authority to men. (Matthew, 9:8)

For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. (Acts, 10:46)

Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." (Luke, 5:25-26)

They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said... (Luke, 7:16)

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord... for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name. His Mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. (Luke, 1:46-50)

His father Zechariah... : "Praise be to the Lord... because He has... redeemed His people." (Luke, 1:67-68)

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God... (Acts, 11:18)

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." (Luke, 23:47)

... so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God... Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans, 15:6-7)

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. (Acts, 4:21)

He [Jesus] says, "I will declare Your Name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing Your praises." (Hebrews, 2:12)

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. (Romans, 4:20)

When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law [God's commandments]." (Acts, 21:20)

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter, 4:16)

He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him Who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." (Revelation, 14:7)

He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (Mark, 2:12)

... Praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." (Luke, 2:13-14)

... Simeon took him in his arms and praised God... (Luke, 2:28)

He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging... and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts, 3:8-10)

What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. (2 Corinthians, 8:19)

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. (2 Corinthias 9:13)

The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God... (Matthew, 15:31)

At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God... (Revelation, 11:13)

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God [to praise Him], and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Acts, 16:25)

Abstaining from Evil Language and Speaking with Good Words

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. (Ephesians, 4:29)

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians, 4:6)

All spoke well of him [Jesus] and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips... (Luke, 4:22)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter, 3:8-9)

... For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are [God's help is] on the righteous but... Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter, 3:10-12)

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (Colossians, 3:8)

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself... (James, 1:26)

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire... (Matthew, 5:22)

For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned [in the hereafter]. (Matthew, 12:37)

... We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. (1 Thessalonians, 2:3-4)

Don't grumble against each other, brothers... (James, 5:9)

With the tongue we praise our Lord... and with it we curse men... Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James, 3:8-12)

But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. (2 Peter, 2:12)

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them. (Jude, 1:10)

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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 [when it is not used in compliance with the approval of God], a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person... (James, 3:4-6)

... If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (James, 3:2-3)

The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. (Acts, 16:2)

The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. (Acts, 15:31)

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (Matthew, 7:17-18)

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (2 Peter, 2:3)

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "... The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the [unclean] heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'... (Matthew, 15:10-20)

... For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew, 12:34)

Abstaining from Disputative Language

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy, 2:22-25)

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law [God's commandments], because these [arguments and controversies] are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful... (Titus, 3:9-11)

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime... not in dissension and jealousy. (Romans, 13:13)

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. (Mark, 8:17-19; Matthew 16:8-11)

... When he [Jesus] was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark, 9:33-35)

... Stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. (1 Timothy, 1:3-4)

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of... Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. (1 Timothy, 6:3-5)

You are still worldly [following your lower self]. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly [following your lower self]? Are you not acting like mere men?... neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, Who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians, 3:3, 7)

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure... [servants of] God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life... (Philipians, 2:14-16)

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. (1 Timothy, 2:8)

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (James, 4:1)

You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (James, 4:2)

Avoiding Worthless Words

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew, 12:36)

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (2 Timothy, 2:16)

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, let there be thankfulness to God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them... (Ephesians, 5:3-7)

For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. (2 Peter, 2:18)

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. May God's grace be with you all. (1 Timothy, 6:20-21)

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive [irreligious] philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world. (Colossians, 2:8)

Speaking Truthfully

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus, 2:7-8)

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (Colossians, 3:8)

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus [for the approval of God]. (2 Timothy, 1:13)

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of... Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. (1 Timothy, 6:3)

He [Jesus] committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. (1 Peter, 2:22)

No lie was found in their mouths. (Revelation, 14:5)

For out of the [unclean] heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'... (Matthew, 15:19-20; Mark, 7:21-23)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (1 Peter, 2:1)

Preaching the Orders of God and the True Religion

Because of my chains, most of the brothers... have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (Philipians, 1:14)

As you go, preach this message: ... [The life in the hereafter] is near... Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew, 10:7-8)

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised... To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. (1 Peter, 4:11)

[Jesus:] "Righteous God, though the world does not know You, I know You... I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known." (Jude, 17:25-26)

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God [the life in the hereafter] is near you.' (Luke, 10:9)

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ [the revelation descended upon Jesus]. (Colossians, 4:3)

So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. (Romans, 15:19)

Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying?... (1 Corinthians, 14:6-9)

... Preach the Word [of God]; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work. (2 Timothy, 4:1-5)

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews, 13:7)

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. (Ephesians, 4:29)

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction... a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the community. (1 Corinthians, 14:26)

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. (1 Timothy, 5:1-3)

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech [in preaching the religion of God], in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-, see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians, 8:7)

Abstaining from Gossip

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. (2 Corinthians, 12:20)