1. Who gave us the ability to speak?
Because Jehovah loves us, he gave us the ability to speak. Thanks to that gift, the first man, Adam, was able to communicate with his Heavenly Father as soon as he was created. Furthermore, he could increase his vocabulary by inventing new words. That helped him fulfill the task of naming all the animals (Gen. 2:19). And how happy he must have felt when he spoke for the first time with another human being: his beautiful wife, Eve (Gen. 2:22, 23).
2. How has the ability to speak been misused both in the past and in the present?
But that gift soon began to be misused. Satan lied to Eve, and because of that lie, human beings are sinful and imperfect (Gen. 3:1-4). Adam misused the ability to speak when he blamed Eve and Jehovah himself for his mistakes on him (Gen. 3:12). Cain lied to Jehovah after he killed his brother Abel (Gen. 4:9). Some time later, a descendant of Cain named Lamech composed a poem that reflected the violence that existed in his day (Gen. 4:23, 24). And what do we see today? Politicians are not ashamed to say bad words in public. It's almost impossible to find a movie that doesn't have foul language. And this is the kind of language used in schools and at work. All this shows how low this world has fallen.
3. What could happen if we are not careful, and what will we see in this article?
If we are not careful, we could get so used to hearing bad words that we even start saying them ourselves. Because we Christians want to please Jehovah, we will not only avoid obscene language, but we will strive to use the ability to speak in the right way—to praise Jehovah. In this article, we will see how we can do this when we preach, when we go to meetings, and when we converse. But first, let's discuss why Jehovah cares what we say.
JEHOVAH CARES WHAT WE SAY
4. According to Malachi 3:16, why does Jehovah care what we say?
(Read Malachi 3:16). Why would Jehovah write in a book the names of those who by their speech show that they fear him and meditate on his name? What we say reveals what is in our heart. Jesus said, “The mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart” (Matt. 12:34). So our conversations show how much we love Jehovah. And Jehovah wants those who love him to live forever in the new world.
5. (a) What is the relationship between what we say and our worship of Jehovah? b) As seen in the images, what things must we avoid so that Jehovah is happy with the way we speak?
Jehovah takes what we say very seriously when deciding whether or not he will accept our worship.—Jas. 1:26. When speaking, many people who do not love Jehovah are aggressive, sharp and proud (2 Tim. 3:1-5). For nothing in the world do we want to be like them. On the contrary, we want Jehovah to always be happy with the way we speak. But would he be happy with someone who was kind in meetings and in the preaching work but spoke harshly and unkindly to his family in private? (1 Pet. 3:7).
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: 1. In the preaching, a brother speaks harshly to a man who is angry. 2. A young brother does not dare to sing in a congregation meeting. 3. A sister talks on the phone. The emoticons of a face that breathes fire from its mouth and a cloud with lightning and rain represent hurtful or negative words.
What does our way of speaking say about what is in our hearts? (See paragraphs 4 and 5). *
6. What happened thanks to Kimberly's way of speaking?
If we use our ability to speak well, others will see the difference “between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve him” (Mal. 3:18). That is, it will be clear that we serve Jehovah. Let's see what happened to a sister named Kimberly. When she and a classmate did an assignment together, her classmate realized that Kimberly was different. She didn't criticize others, she was always kind and never said bad words. Her partner wanted to know why, and she eventually accepted a Bible course. How pleased Jehovah is when others are attracted to the truth by the way we speak!
7. What do you want to do with your ability to speak?
We all want our way of speaking to honor Jehovah and help us to be friends with the brothers. Therefore, let's see some practical suggestions so that we continue to be an example by our way of speaking.
BE A GOOD EXAMPLE IN PREACHING
8. How can we imitate the example Jesus set for us in ministry?
Be polite and respectful when they talk bad to you. While on earth, Jesus was falsely accused of being “a glutton and a wine drinker,” of being in the service of the Devil, breaking the Sabbath, and even blaspheming God (Matt. 11:19; 26: 65; Luke 11:15; John 9:16). However, Jesus never responded in a bad way. If someone speaks harshly to us, we should be like Jesus and not pay him back with the same coin (1 Pet. 2:21-23). Sure, sometimes it's not easy to control yourself (Jas. 3:2). What will help us achieve it?
9. How can we control what we say when we are preaching?
If someone speaks badly to you in the preaching, don't focus on your bad reaction. A brother named Sam says, “I try to think that the person needs to hear the truth and that they can change.” It is also possible that the person was angry simply because we arrived at a bad time. When we meet someone who is upset, we can do what a sister named Lucia did: briefly pray to Jehovah, asking him to help us stay calm and not say something unkind or disrespectful.
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images showing two different scenes in the preaching: 1. The before image of the brother speaking harshly to a man who is angry. 2. The brother speaks kindly to the man who is angry.
Jehovah likes us to be kind in the preaching. (See paragraphs 8 and 9).
10. According to 1 Timothy 4:13, what should be our goal?
Strive to be a good teacher. Timothy had a lot of experience in preaching, but he still needed to keep improving as a teacher (read 1 Timothy 4:13). How can we be more skillful teachers? We must prepare well. To do this, we have some very helpful tools, such as the Become Better Readers and Teachers brochure and the “Become Better Teachers” section of the Activity Guide for the Christian Life and Ministry Meeting. Are you taking advantage of these aids? If you prepare well, you will feel less nervous and speak more confidently.
11. What have some brothers done to be better teachers?
Another thing we can do to be better teachers is to look at what other brothers in the congregation are doing and follow their example. Sam, mentioned in paragraph 9, notices what details make some brothers good teachers. So he listens to them carefully and tries to imitate their way of teaching. A sister named Talia pays attention to how brothers who are good speakers deliver public talks. By doing this, she has learned to speak and reason about topics that people often bring up in preaching.
BE A GOOD EXAMPLE AT MEETINGS
12. What is difficult for some to do in meetings?
We can all do our part in meetings by singing and giving well-prepared comments (Ps. 22:22). Some find it very difficult to sing and comment in meetings. Does it happen to you? Then you will surely like to know what has helped others overcome their fears.
13. What can help you sing with enthusiasm at meetings?
Sing with enthusiasm. Remember that the most important reason we sing at meetings is to praise Jehovah. Let's look at the case of a sister named Sara. Although she doesn't think she has a great voice, she wants to praise Jehovah by singing. So when she prepares for a meeting, she doesn't skip the songs. She rehearses them and tries to see what relationship there is between the lyrics and the topic being discussed at the meeting. She says, “All of this helps me focus more on the words than on my voice.”
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images showing two different scenes at a congregation meeting. 1. The before image of the young brother who does not dare to sing at the meeting. 2. The young brother sings enthusiastically.
We praise Jehovah by singing enthusiastically at meetings. (See paragraphs 12 and 13).
14. If you are shy, what can help you to comment in meetings?
Get in the habit of commenting. To be honest, this is very difficult for many brothers. Talía, mentioned in paragraph 11, recounts: “Although you can't notice it in my voice, I get very, very nervous when I have to speak in public. So commenting is hard for me. But that doesn't stop him from commenting. When preparing for meetings, she keeps in mind that the first answer to a question should be short and to the point. She says, "It's okay for my answers to be to the point and short and simple because, after all, that's the kind of feedback the driver expects."
15. What should we remember about comments?
Sometimes even siblings who are not shy or reserved don't dare to comment. Why? A sister named Juliet explains: "Sometimes I find it hard to comment for fear that my comments are too simple and not up to par." Does the same thing happen to you? Then remember that Jehovah wants us to do the best we can. Jehovah wholeheartedly appreciates our efforts to comment even if we sometimes get nervous.
BE A GOOD EXAMPLE IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS
16. What kind of words should we avoid?
Avoid all kinds of “hurtful words” (Eph. 4:31). As we have seen, a Christian should never say bad words. But we could speak hurtful in other ways without realizing it, and you have to be careful. For example, we should not make negative comments about people of other cultures, ethnicities or nationalities. And we also don't want to say things that make others feel bad and offend them. A brother admits: “Sometimes I have made sarcastic comments thinking they were harmless and funny, but they actually hurt someone's feelings. Over the years I've gotten so much better because my wife has told me privately when I've made a rude and hurtful comment about her or someone else."
17. According to Ephesians 4:29, how can we build up and encourage others?
Say things that uplift and encourage. Instead of complaining and criticizing, always try to compliment others (read Ephesians 4:29). We do not want to be like the Israelites. Although they had many reasons to be grateful, they were always complaining, and complaints are contagious. Because of the negative report given by 10 spies, “all the Israelites began to complain about Moses” (Num. 13:31-14:4). Instead, complimenting others has a very positive effect on them. Let us think of Jephthah's daughter. I'm sure the praise and encouragement from her friends helped her continue in her assignment (Judges 11:40). Sarah, mentioned in paragraph 13, says: “When we commend others, we make them feel that Jehovah loves them and that they have a place in his organization.”. Take every opportunity to compliment others.
18. Considering what Psalm 15:1, 2 says, why must we always tell the truth, and what does it imply?
Always tell the truth. If we do not, Jehovah will not be happy with us, since he hates all kinds of lies. Prov. 6:16, 17. Although lying is normal for people, we want to think like Jehovah (read Psalm 15:1, 2). Sure, we'd never tell a blatant lie, but it's also not okay to hide information so others think something isn't true.
19. What else should we be careful about?
Don't go spreading gossip (Prov. 25:23; 2 Thess. 3:11). Juliet, mentioned in paragraph 15, says that gossip has a very negative effect on her. She says, “When I hear someone gossip, I get very discouraged and lose trust in that person. How do I know that he is not going to talk about me? If you see a conversation on the way to gossip, change the subject and talk about something positive (Col. 4:6).
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images showing two different scenes in a conversation. 1. The before picture of the sister on the phone. Emoticons represent hurtful or negative words. 2. The sister smiles happily as she talks on the phone. Emoticons of a smiley face and a big sun behind a white cloud represent positive conversation.
Jehovah will be happy if we change the conversation to a more positive topic. (See paragraph 19).
20. What are you determined to do?
We live in a world where most people misuse the ability to speak. That is why we must strive to use it as Jehovah wants. Remember that you are a gift from Jehovah, and he cares what we say. If we do our best to honor Jehovah in what we say in the ministry, in meetings, and in our conversations, he will bless us. When we have finally freed ourselves from the influence of this system, it will be much easier to honor Jehovah with our ability to speak (Jude 15). In the meantime, let us be determined to do what the psalmist said: “Let the words of my mouth be pleasing to you, O Lord” (Ps. 19:14)
HOW CAN WE BE AN EXAMPLE BY OUR WAY OF SPEAKING IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS?
When we preach
We must strive to be a good teacher, and a good teacher knows how to control difficult situations , respond calmly as Jesus did, and from the heart, with love and kindness, redirect situations, teach and advise with the Bible.
When we go to meetings.
We are to sing with joy and gladness and strive for our public declaration through our comments in the meeting, whether short or simple, we will be praising Jehovah and He is very happy to see us do it.
When we talk
Our speech has to be sincere, honest and humble, without hurtful or bad-sounding words, free of lies and gossip and rumours. Our conversation needs to be uplifting, joyful, and spirited, with wholesome and theocratic themes.
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