The Nugget:
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
My Comment:
Paul urged Timothy to become an example of the believers in six things. The first of these qualities that Paul mentions is to become an example in word.
Here are the cross references–links to other statements in the Bible that address the same or a closely related subject–as I have given them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
in word. Pro 15:26, Mat 12:34, 35, 36, 37, *2Co 6:4-17, Eph 5:12, **Php 4:8, +*Col 4:6, *2Ti 2:22, Tit 2:8, Jas 3:13; Jas 3:17, +*2Pe 1:5, 6, 7, 8.
The Bible references above are “live links” and on many platforms will display the text upon mouse-over.
For the benefit of those who may not have access to the live links, I will present several of the verses below:
Proverbs 15:26
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
King James Version
Matthew 12:34-37
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
King James Version
Ephesians 5:12
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
King James Version
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
King James Version
Colossians 4:6
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
King James Version
2 Timothy 2:22
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
King James Version
Titus 2:8
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
King James Version
James 3:13
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
King James Version
James 3:17
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
King James Version
2 Peter 1:5-8
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
King James Version
Be sure to read and re-read and then consistently follow the teaching of the above verses so that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. It would be a great tragedy with eternally unpleasant consequences for anyone to fail to heed this spiritual advice given directly in the words of Scripture.