Rid Yourselves of All Such Things

We used to walk in sinful, fleshly, worldly ways before we surrendered our lives to Christ. Now since we are a new creation in Christ, we must rid ourselves of  these evil, immoral practices: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from our lips. All these things can be expressed through our words. That's why it's so important for us to constantly guard/tame our tongue. "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3) "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." (Proverbs 21:23) 

"When anger spreads through the breast, guard your tongue from barking idly." (~Sappho)
"Sometimes you can make a more effective statement by holding your tongue." (~Anonymous)
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." (~Benjamin Franklin)

"When I want to speak...let me think first:
-Is it true?
-Is it kind?
-Is it necessary?
If not, let it be left unsaid." (~Babcock)

Our speech should be: 
Gentle and gracious  (Philippians 4:5, Proverbs 22:11)
Respectful                 (1 Peter 2:17)
Encouraging              (Hebrews 3:13)
Appropriate               (Ephesians 4:29)
Truthful                      (Ephesians 4:15, 4:25)

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)