1st Timothy 6:17-19 ". . . be rich in good works . . . willing to communicate. . . ."

(If we must be taught to be "willing" to do a thing, it is because that thing is difficult or unpleasant.)

Proverbs 16:23 "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips."

15:28 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things."

The Desired Results:

10:11 "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. . . ." (You can get something from a well!)

15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. . . ." (You can get something from a tree!)

25:11 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

See: John 20:1-16 "Jesus saith unto her, Mary."

Matthew 22:29 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."

Proverbs 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"

Luke 7:30-43 (40) "And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee."

Psalm 37:30 "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment."

Proverbs 31:26 (see: vs. 10-11) "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

See: Matthew 15:21-27 "And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."

But Remember This:

James 3:1-18 (8) "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be alway with grace . . . that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

1st Peter 3:8-9 ". . . be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing. . . ."

Ephesians 5:1-4 ". . . let it not be once named among you . . . foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient. . . ."

Proverbs 26:18-19 "As a mad man who casteth firebrands . . . deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?"

James 1:19-20, 26 ". . . let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. . . ."

Proverbs 29:20 "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him."

26:17 "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 ". . . there is a . . . time to every purpose . . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. . . ."

See: John 8:6 "But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not."

Genesis 4:1-7 [Cain's rejection of the Lord's reproof]

Ecclesiastes 7:5 "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."

Leviticus 19:17 ". . . thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."

Proverbs 10:17 "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth."

15:5 "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent."

v. 10 "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

v. 12 "A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise."

vs. 31-33 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."

19:20 "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."

v. 25 ". . . reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge."

20:15 ". . . the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."

25:12 "As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear."

(Maybe you're not being "picked on!")

27:5 "Open rebuke is better than secret love. (This wisdom runs against everything that men ever came up with!)

v. 6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

See: Matthew 16:23-26 Jesus ". . . said unto Peter, Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offence unto me. . . ."

Luke 22:47-48 ". . . Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him."

28:23 "He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue."

Romans 15:14 "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

2nd Corinthians 13:1-11 "Finally, brethren . . . be of one mind. . . ."

Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"