The things we say to one another have impact.  When we speak rotten words we cause hurt, but when we speak the truth of God's Word we edify and minister grace unto the hearers.  To edify is to build up.  Grace is favor from God.  God is gracious and His words are words that minister grace to others.  To understand that which should proceed out of our mouth we must first understand that which proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Deuteronomy 8:3
   And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

   We are to live on the Word of God.  His words are food for our soul, our heart, and our mind.  Physical food is not enough.  That which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord is the food on which man was meant to live.

   Jesus Christ understood the need to live on the Word of God and he delivered those same gracious words as he spoke God's Word.

Matthew 4:4
   But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

   Jesus Christ lived on the word of God.  He read it.  He studied it.  He read it to others.  In the synagogue in Nazareth he received the scroll of Isaiah and read words to the people that made them wonder and ask "How could this man have this knowledge."  The words he spoke to them truly ministered grace to the hearers because they were words from God's Word.  Words that had proceeded out of the mouth of God.  He read: He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Luke 4:22
   And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.   And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

  The words that proceed from God bring a knowledge of God's grace to man.

Proverbs 2:6
   For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

   God gives wisdom.  Wisdom is knowing what to do.  God is gracious - He GIVES wisdom.  He GIVES knowledge and He GIVES understanding.  We do not earn it, we receive it by grace.  Out of the mouth of the Lord comes knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  If we are to edify one another and minister grace to one another by that which proceeds from our mouth then our words need to be God's words.

Isaiah 55:10-12
   For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
   So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
   For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:  the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

   The words that go forth out of the mouth of God are positive.  They are food for man's heart, mind, and soul.  They are effectual.  They produce results!  The Word accomplishes that which God sends it to do.  It prospers.  As we receive His Word and make His words our words we find joy and peace.  The mountains sing and the trees clap.  God's Word is edifying and God's Word is gracious.

   Now we have a choice.  We can speak the words that have proceeded out of the mouth of God and edify one another with the grace of God; or we can speak words that tear down and injure.  When we speak God's gracious words we bring health to the body, minds, and hearts of those to whom we speak.

Proverbs 12:18
   There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 13:17
   A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

Proverbs 16:24
   Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

   God's words are pleasant words.   God's words are faithful words.  God's words are wise words.  God's gracious words are healing to those who hear.  They are sweet to the soul.  Words that have proceeded out of the mouth of God are profitable.  They have value.

Proverbs 10:20
   The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Proverbs 20:15
   There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Proverbs 15:4
   A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Ecclesiastes 10:12
   The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

   The words that proceed out of our mouth are to minister grace to the hearers.  They should edify and bring wisdom, knowledge, and life.

Proverbs 10:31
   The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Proverbs 15:7
   The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Proverbs 18:21
   Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

   Life and death are in the power of the tongue!  What we say makes a difference.  But the Word of God also declares in James 3 that the tongue is an unruly member that no man can tame.  We need God's help to insure that the words we speak will be words that have proceeded out of the mouth of God.

Psalm 51:15
   O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praises.

Psalm 141:3
   Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Proverbs 16:1
   The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

Isaiah 50:4
   The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:  he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

   With God's help the words that proceed out of our mouth will edify and bring grace to the hearers.  He will teach us what to say and when to say it to minister to the weary.   With God's help the words that we speak will be words that have come out of the mouth of God.

Psalms 119:171-172
   My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
   My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.