A. Loving wholesome speech has a great effect:

2CH 10:7. And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

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

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

PRO 25:15. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

B. Wise speech is health & life:

PRO 10:11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

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

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

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

C. Other points on wholesome speech:

PRO 8:6. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

PRO 14:3. In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

PRO 31:26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

JAM 3:2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

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

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

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

PRO 24:26. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

MAL 2:6. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

MAL 2:7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

D. Speaking the right things at the right time:

PRO 10:32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

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

ECC 8:5. Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

E. Speaking encouraging words to strengthen others:

GEN 50:21. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

DEU 3:28. But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

JOB 4:4. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

JOB 16:5. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

ISA 35:3. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

ISA 35:4. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

ISA 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.

F. Speaking & talking about the Lord's Word:

DEU 6:6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

DEU 6:7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

PSA 119:172. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

JOH 6:63. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

EPH 5:19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

1PE 4:11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

G. Sharing testimonies about the great things God has done:

PSA 9:11. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

PSA 35:28. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

PSA 66:16. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

PSA 145:1. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

PSA 145:2. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

PSA 145:3. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

PSA 145:4. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

PSA 145:5. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

PSA 145:6. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

PSA 145:7. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

PSA 145:10. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

PSA 145:12. To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

PSA 145:21. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

ACT 12:17. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

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

PSA 40:9. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

PSA 40:10. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

PSA 71:17. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

ISA 12:4. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

H. Have a sense of humour & be able to laugh:

PRO 17:22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

PRO 15:13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

PRO 15:15. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

PSA 126:2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

JOB 8:21. Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

GEN 21:6. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

ECC 3:4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;