“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
— Titus 3:2 (ESV)
There’s something incredibly sobering about the clarity of this verse: “Speak evil of no one.” Not “some.” Not “just those who deserve it.” Not “unless they’ve hurt you.” No—no one.
This isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command. And it comes with no asterisks, disclaimers, or loopholes.
As believers, we’re called to live lives that reflect the heart of Christ, and this scripture reminds us that our words matter deeply. What we say about others—whether in frustration, gossip, judgment, or anger—has spiritual weight. And when we speak evil of someone, we aren’t just saying mean things… we’re judging them.
But Scripture is clear: judgment doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to the Lord alone. God is the only one who judges in righteousness, with perfect knowledge and untainted motives. When we take it upon ourselves to speak evil of others, we do one of two dangerous things:
- We try to take God’s place as judge.
- We imitate the enemy, the accuser of the brethren.
Neither of these is who we are called to be in Christ. We are not the judge. We are not the accuser. We are the redeemed. The forgiven. The messengers of grace.
When we speak evil of others, it often flows from a heart of frustration, pride, or hurt. But in those moments, rather than letting those feelings take root in our speech, let’s pause. Take a breath. And do something radical: pray.
Pray for grace.
Pray for the one who offended you.
Pray for the strength to love, even when it’s hard.
Pray that your heart would reflect the mercy of the Savior who spoke no evil, even when He was mocked, betrayed, and crucified.
Titus 3:2 isn’t just a rule to follow—it’s a picture of what Christlike living looks like in a world full of judgment and division. We are called to something higher. We are called to reflect His gentleness, His humility, and His love—even with our words.
So the next time you’re tempted to speak ill of someone, remember this truth:
Silence can be holy. Mercy can be vocal. And grace can change everything.
Choose your words carefully. Choose to bless.
Speak evil of no one.
