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Say the Right Thing: How Your Words Can Glorify God and Encourage Others
How the gospel can help you speak in a positive, constructive way.
Words are powerful. They sink deep into our minds and our spirits. They can build others up or put others down. Many of us want to “say the right thing” and make a difference to others with our words, but we don't know how to. Others of us struggle to control our speech and want help to be more godly in this area of our lives.
This positive, constructive book delves into the Bible to show us how to overcome specific temptations, such as gossip or angry words. But it also goes much further. It shows us how we can use our speech to bring beauty, hope, truth, and comfort into the lives of those around us—and to give glory to God.
Full of gracious words and practical help, this book will help readers to find out how to let the gospel shape their speech and enjoy the blessings that flow from this.
Words are powerful. They sink deep into our minds and our spirits. They can build others up or put others down. Many of us want to “say the right thing” and make a difference to others with our words, but we don't know how to. Others of us struggle to control our speech and want help to be more godly in this area of our lives.
This positive, constructive book delves into the Bible to show us how to overcome specific temptations, such as gossip or angry words. But it also goes much further. It shows us how we can use our speech to bring beauty, hope, truth, and comfort into the lives of those around us—and to give glory to God.
Full of gracious words and practical help, this book will help readers to find out how to let the gospel shape their speech and enjoy the blessings that flow from this.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2023
14 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Lacey
5 books4 followersCarolyn Lacey is a writer, speaker and pastor's wife. She serves alongside her husband, Richard, in Worcester, UK, and teaches regularly at women's events.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 16, 2023
{First posted here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/di...}
I don't always say the right thing.
I wish I did... but I don't.
You're getting ready for bed, the events of the day flow through your mind and those misspoken words jump out at you, gripping your heart into a panic. You shout at yourself, "Why did I say that?!" Frustration and anxiety creep in.
Sometimes we're just worried about how what we said was perceived by someone else, but other times we've sinned with gossip, slander or untruths, and confession needs to follow - I've been both.
In Say the Right Thing: How Your Words Can Glorify God and Encourage Others, Carolyn Lacey explores a hopeful vision for our speech and an active plan to keep our tongue on the path to glorifying God and speaking for the good of others. We're led into a picture where the landscape reveals words spoken with wisdom, truth, beauty, kindness, comfort and hope.
Doesn't it look peaceful?
Perhaps it even seems unattainable.
Yet, we can take heart, because the power to bring fruitfulness to our words comes from the Lord. He continues to renew us and transform us into His likeness every day as we abide in Him. Though perfection will come one glorious day, we take steps forward one at a time.
"Training and taming the tongue is a way of training and taming the heart."
I was reminded that wise speech begins first with being an eager listener. We can't listen and talk at the same time, so when we're tempted to say something, we can put our mouth on pause and instead pay attention with listening ears.
This requires patience, humility and self-control.
Looking back, it's easy to see how my poorly chosen words were let loose in moments of carelessness or self-importance. Looking ahead, I'm invited to both see and hear others intentionally.
(My counselling training has, by God's grace, helped me a lot with this too)
This is a very helpful resource if you're looking for a topical study on the words we speak. If it's something you're struggling with, or want to grow in, I'd recommend it! There's reflection questions at the end of each chapter, which make it good to use with small groups or for your own study.
Quick Stats
# of pages: 128
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
*A big thanks to the Good Book Company for the complimentary copy of this book and for the opportunity to post an honest review.
I don't always say the right thing.
I wish I did... but I don't.
You're getting ready for bed, the events of the day flow through your mind and those misspoken words jump out at you, gripping your heart into a panic. You shout at yourself, "Why did I say that?!" Frustration and anxiety creep in.
Sometimes we're just worried about how what we said was perceived by someone else, but other times we've sinned with gossip, slander or untruths, and confession needs to follow - I've been both.
In Say the Right Thing: How Your Words Can Glorify God and Encourage Others, Carolyn Lacey explores a hopeful vision for our speech and an active plan to keep our tongue on the path to glorifying God and speaking for the good of others. We're led into a picture where the landscape reveals words spoken with wisdom, truth, beauty, kindness, comfort and hope.
Doesn't it look peaceful?
Perhaps it even seems unattainable.
Yet, we can take heart, because the power to bring fruitfulness to our words comes from the Lord. He continues to renew us and transform us into His likeness every day as we abide in Him. Though perfection will come one glorious day, we take steps forward one at a time.
"Training and taming the tongue is a way of training and taming the heart."
I was reminded that wise speech begins first with being an eager listener. We can't listen and talk at the same time, so when we're tempted to say something, we can put our mouth on pause and instead pay attention with listening ears.
This requires patience, humility and self-control.
Looking back, it's easy to see how my poorly chosen words were let loose in moments of carelessness or self-importance. Looking ahead, I'm invited to both see and hear others intentionally.
(My counselling training has, by God's grace, helped me a lot with this too)
This is a very helpful resource if you're looking for a topical study on the words we speak. If it's something you're struggling with, or want to grow in, I'd recommend it! There's reflection questions at the end of each chapter, which make it good to use with small groups or for your own study.
Quick Stats
# of pages: 128
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
*A big thanks to the Good Book Company for the complimentary copy of this book and for the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 6, 2023
James says our tongue is sharper than any two-edged sword. I can think of times where words have hurt me greatly. I imagine you can too. Say the Right Thing by Carolyn Lacey invites Christians to use their words to glorify God and encourage others.
Say the Right Thing is a short but meaty book. It is hard for me to read these types of books quickly. There is a lot of information in each chapter with questions at the ends of the chapter. I think this would be a good book to use in a Sunday School group or book club.
Chapters are included on speaking wisdom, speaking truth, speaking beauty, speaking comfort, speaking kindness, speaking hope, and speaking praise. All of them are based on the Bible. This book is written by a pastor's wife in Great Britain. From a Scriptural perspective, it is helpful. I do wish there was a bit more information on boundaries and some of the things that trained counselors include as sometimes I can take things too far if I don't acknowledge boundaries. Others may have similar issues. All in all, Say the Right Thing is a good book though.
I received a copy of this book from the Good Book Company. All opinions within this review are my own.
Say the Right Thing is a short but meaty book. It is hard for me to read these types of books quickly. There is a lot of information in each chapter with questions at the ends of the chapter. I think this would be a good book to use in a Sunday School group or book club.
Chapters are included on speaking wisdom, speaking truth, speaking beauty, speaking comfort, speaking kindness, speaking hope, and speaking praise. All of them are based on the Bible. This book is written by a pastor's wife in Great Britain. From a Scriptural perspective, it is helpful. I do wish there was a bit more information on boundaries and some of the things that trained counselors include as sometimes I can take things too far if I don't acknowledge boundaries. Others may have similar issues. All in all, Say the Right Thing is a good book though.
I received a copy of this book from the Good Book Company. All opinions within this review are my own.
July 26, 2024
Just read this as part of a 1 to 1 at church. I thought it was brilliant. Simple and clear ways to understand the power our words have to positively or negatively impact someone's life. I was challenged by how it is the greatest tool we have to share about who Jesus is. It is a book I'll come back to time and time again.
May 1, 2023
Short and simple book packed full of practical advice, reflection, and encouragements
April 4, 2023
In a day and age where so many folks tend to be reckless with their words, Say the Right Thing is a book that’s sorely needed. In seven short chapters, Carolyn Lacey spells out seven different ways that we can reflect God and honor Him (and others) with the words that we speak:
Speaking Wisdom
Speaking Truth
Speaking Beauty
Speaking Comfort
Speaking Kindness
Speaking Hope
Speaking Praise
🥳: I was challenged and convicted by the author’s words and the topics. Also, each chapter ended with some reflection questions to really think through what I learned and ways that I can grow in each area. I was grateful for this!
😕: There were times that I wished the author had gone deeper into some of the topics and provided more practical counsel—especially when it comes to putting some of these into practice with unbelievers. I also would have really loved if the book featured a resource guide in back that listed book recommendations for doing deeper dives into each of the chapter topics.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it beneficial. It was a 4 solid star read for me!
I received a copy of this book for free from The Good Book Company in exchange for this honest review.
Speaking Wisdom
Speaking Truth
Speaking Beauty
Speaking Comfort
Speaking Kindness
Speaking Hope
Speaking Praise
🥳: I was challenged and convicted by the author’s words and the topics. Also, each chapter ended with some reflection questions to really think through what I learned and ways that I can grow in each area. I was grateful for this!
😕: There were times that I wished the author had gone deeper into some of the topics and provided more practical counsel—especially when it comes to putting some of these into practice with unbelievers. I also would have really loved if the book featured a resource guide in back that listed book recommendations for doing deeper dives into each of the chapter topics.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it beneficial. It was a 4 solid star read for me!
I received a copy of this book for free from The Good Book Company in exchange for this honest review.
March 21, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Carolyn Lacey begins this book by acknowledging how often we all, herself included, struggle to say the right thing. She reflects that when she was growing up in church, teachings about the tongue tended to focus on what you shouldn't say, without also training people to use their words in positive ways. This book provides a different perspective, focusing on different categories of speech that Christians can use to glorify God and build others up.
Say the Right Thing is short and highly readable. The chapters focus on the importance of wisdom, truth, beauty, comfort, kindness, hope, and praise in our speech, and Lacey shares stories and examples from the Bible and from modern life. She also includes direct examples of how people can use their speech to help and encourage others, and the chapter about offering comfort is particularly helpful, suggesting ways that Christians can connect with grieving and suffering people without relying on platitudes. Each chapter concludes with reflection questions that are appropriate for both individual processing and group discussion.
Say the Right Thing is a short, helpful book for Christians who want to use words in positive, restorative ways, although I wish it had gone deeper. A single book can't possibly address every topic or situation regarding communication, but I wish that Lacey had included more principles about how to deal with high-stakes conversations, since people's attempts at wise communication most often fall apart when they're dealing with relational tensions, intense emotions, and difficult issues. Lacey doesn't ignore this reality, but her treatment of it is fairly surface-level. This book is mainly about blessing and encouraging others, which is good, but I wish that it had gone further and deeper.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Carolyn Lacey begins this book by acknowledging how often we all, herself included, struggle to say the right thing. She reflects that when she was growing up in church, teachings about the tongue tended to focus on what you shouldn't say, without also training people to use their words in positive ways. This book provides a different perspective, focusing on different categories of speech that Christians can use to glorify God and build others up.
Say the Right Thing is short and highly readable. The chapters focus on the importance of wisdom, truth, beauty, comfort, kindness, hope, and praise in our speech, and Lacey shares stories and examples from the Bible and from modern life. She also includes direct examples of how people can use their speech to help and encourage others, and the chapter about offering comfort is particularly helpful, suggesting ways that Christians can connect with grieving and suffering people without relying on platitudes. Each chapter concludes with reflection questions that are appropriate for both individual processing and group discussion.
Say the Right Thing is a short, helpful book for Christians who want to use words in positive, restorative ways, although I wish it had gone deeper. A single book can't possibly address every topic or situation regarding communication, but I wish that Lacey had included more principles about how to deal with high-stakes conversations, since people's attempts at wise communication most often fall apart when they're dealing with relational tensions, intense emotions, and difficult issues. Lacey doesn't ignore this reality, but her treatment of it is fairly surface-level. This book is mainly about blessing and encouraging others, which is good, but I wish that it had gone further and deeper.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2023
Can we really tame our tongue? In Say the Right Thing, Carolyn Lacey shares how your words can glorify God and encourage others.
Biblical Wisdom and Strategies for Speaking
This short book is full of biblical wisdom and strategies to help us with what we say. Lacey means to show us that our words matter, and our speech should be fashioned by our faith.
I was most interested to see how we can instill beauty in our words when we are surrounded by a sinful and suffering world. Lacey calls us to look beyond this world, and to focus our gaze on Christ. We will find God’s beauty “chasing” us (Psalm 23:6) and we can use our words to point others to him.
The Way God Uses Words
Using Isaiah 40, Lacey shares that we can speak comfort into suffering by focusing on God’s character - not our own experiences. I was most challenged to see that we may be tempted to be irritable or impatient with certain people - and that we should pay special attention to our words with them. Speaking to them as kin can help us be more kind and compassionate.
The book closes with challenges to share the gospel with others and to praise God in your everyday life. After reading this book, I am amazed at the way God uses words in our lives. I feel sharpened in my ability to speak, and softened in my heart to better share the words of Christ.
I received a media copy of Say the Right Thing and this is my honest review.
Biblical Wisdom and Strategies for Speaking
This short book is full of biblical wisdom and strategies to help us with what we say. Lacey means to show us that our words matter, and our speech should be fashioned by our faith.
I was most interested to see how we can instill beauty in our words when we are surrounded by a sinful and suffering world. Lacey calls us to look beyond this world, and to focus our gaze on Christ. We will find God’s beauty “chasing” us (Psalm 23:6) and we can use our words to point others to him.
The Way God Uses Words
Using Isaiah 40, Lacey shares that we can speak comfort into suffering by focusing on God’s character - not our own experiences. I was most challenged to see that we may be tempted to be irritable or impatient with certain people - and that we should pay special attention to our words with them. Speaking to them as kin can help us be more kind and compassionate.
The book closes with challenges to share the gospel with others and to praise God in your everyday life. After reading this book, I am amazed at the way God uses words in our lives. I feel sharpened in my ability to speak, and softened in my heart to better share the words of Christ.
I received a media copy of Say the Right Thing and this is my honest review.
April 3, 2023
Subtitled “How Your Words Can Glorify God and Encourage Others”, this title grabbed me. I think I am an encourager by nature, so coupled with being an author I was especially interested in this one.
As a writer, when sometimes we can agonise for days over selecting the right word for a particular place in a story, we know the importance of language and the difference it can make.
But the teaching in this book takes it a step further than simply choosing the right words. It highlights how wisdom can and should be the driving force behind the words we use. How, when we are speaking to anyone, we can see ourselves as speaking as Christ to them. Thinking like this can create a whole different way of behaving and expressing the love of God.
Carolyn is quick to point out that we all get it wrong, quite often, but an intentional attitude of kindness, truth, love and (interestingly) praise in our conversations, will make an enormous difference to us and to all those we communicate with.
This book makes a point of highlighting what the Bible has to say on the topic, unpacks it and presents it with empathy and encouragement.
It is the sort of book that after you have read it, you come away with a feeling that your behaviours will never quite be the same again, to the benefit of everyone.
See more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/category/...
As a writer, when sometimes we can agonise for days over selecting the right word for a particular place in a story, we know the importance of language and the difference it can make.
But the teaching in this book takes it a step further than simply choosing the right words. It highlights how wisdom can and should be the driving force behind the words we use. How, when we are speaking to anyone, we can see ourselves as speaking as Christ to them. Thinking like this can create a whole different way of behaving and expressing the love of God.
Carolyn is quick to point out that we all get it wrong, quite often, but an intentional attitude of kindness, truth, love and (interestingly) praise in our conversations, will make an enormous difference to us and to all those we communicate with.
This book makes a point of highlighting what the Bible has to say on the topic, unpacks it and presents it with empathy and encouragement.
It is the sort of book that after you have read it, you come away with a feeling that your behaviours will never quite be the same again, to the benefit of everyone.
See more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/category/...
May 3, 2023
This quick, encouraging read is a good reminder and a focus on our words! What is the most right thing to say? He is worthy!! But so many practical tips with Biblical Truth and personal stories! I was convicted in the words I use in my mothering and encouraged to not just try to "say the right thing" but keep my eyes on Christ and have Him change my heart. And to also always have an answer for the hope I have!
Quotes:
"It's about letting our speech be shaped by God's Word rather than the world." (p11)
"When do you most often find yourself speaking rashly or impatiently? Who do you tend to speak to aggressively rather than with consideration and gentleness? ... Ask God to change your heart and make it pure and peace loving so that your words will be full of mercy and good fruit and so that your tongue will not bring harm but healing." (p22)
"But as those who know the one who is the source of all beauty and the one to whom all beauty points, we should be on the lookout for every hint of beauty we can find." (p47)
"Vague sentiments do little to inspire but affirming specific actions behavior or character can have a lasting impact. This means we should be on the lookout for good things to praise. Our beauty and goodness antenna should be up ready to notice and celebrate the good in those God has placed in our life." (p114)
Quotes:
"It's about letting our speech be shaped by God's Word rather than the world." (p11)
"When do you most often find yourself speaking rashly or impatiently? Who do you tend to speak to aggressively rather than with consideration and gentleness? ... Ask God to change your heart and make it pure and peace loving so that your words will be full of mercy and good fruit and so that your tongue will not bring harm but healing." (p22)
"But as those who know the one who is the source of all beauty and the one to whom all beauty points, we should be on the lookout for every hint of beauty we can find." (p47)
"Vague sentiments do little to inspire but affirming specific actions behavior or character can have a lasting impact. This means we should be on the lookout for good things to praise. Our beauty and goodness antenna should be up ready to notice and celebrate the good in those God has placed in our life." (p114)
January 31, 2024
I received Say the Right Thing compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
Say the Right Thing is the second book by writer, speaker, and pastor’s wife, Carolyn Lacey. This book is a helpful tool for Christians curious to learn what the Bible says about speech. Each chapter of the book focuses on using speech for different Christian virtues, for example, speaking wisdom, speaking truth, and speaking beauty. Say the Right Thing begins by reminding readers that our words have power and their ultimate purpose is God’s glory.
Each chapter is full of wisdom and biblical encouragement. I found the chapter on beauty especially compelling, making it my favorite. In it, Lacey encouraged readers that because God is the source of beauty, there is always beauty to look for even in a fallen world. By using our words to point to God, we have a unique and precious opportunity to highlight His beauty.
Say the Right Thing strikes a helpful balance between conviction and encouragement for the reader. At 123 pages, it is a quick read and each chapter concludes with questions to consider making it useful for group or personal study. I greatly enjoyed this book and if you’re hoping to grow in using your speech to glorify God, I highly recommend it!
Say the Right Thing is the second book by writer, speaker, and pastor’s wife, Carolyn Lacey. This book is a helpful tool for Christians curious to learn what the Bible says about speech. Each chapter of the book focuses on using speech for different Christian virtues, for example, speaking wisdom, speaking truth, and speaking beauty. Say the Right Thing begins by reminding readers that our words have power and their ultimate purpose is God’s glory.
Each chapter is full of wisdom and biblical encouragement. I found the chapter on beauty especially compelling, making it my favorite. In it, Lacey encouraged readers that because God is the source of beauty, there is always beauty to look for even in a fallen world. By using our words to point to God, we have a unique and precious opportunity to highlight His beauty.
Say the Right Thing strikes a helpful balance between conviction and encouragement for the reader. At 123 pages, it is a quick read and each chapter concludes with questions to consider making it useful for group or personal study. I greatly enjoyed this book and if you’re hoping to grow in using your speech to glorify God, I highly recommend it!
February 24, 2023
This encouraged me to think afresh about how I use my words to glorify God, especially in building others up. Each chapter was rooted in a different part of Scripture, and the insights felt fresh, and was then applied to life in all its beauty and brokenness. Praying for long-term change in my life!
August 10, 2024
Great guide for how to use our words wisely and fruitfully. Must-read for those in ministry and those wishing to more effectively encourage others.
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October 30, 2024Read paperback for a book club.
May 17, 2023
It is a good book that speaks about how we should use our words in many different situations, whether that is comfort in people who have experience loss or relational breakdown, building people up and praising God.
Caroline Lacey brings out the meaning of comfort to suggest it is stronger than just relieving pain. She argues that the word comfort in the old Testament it is used more strongly to point to God’s eternal forgiveness and his eternal qualities, so how we show comfort to others is by using of words to reflect God forgiveness, and his eternal qualities.
Another interesting thought the author brings out is the word kindness. She suggests that the word kindness in the middle English is linked to Kin. So to use a word in a kind way is as to speak to someone as if we are passionate and compassionate for them like we would be towards a close family member.
Overall, this is a good book, however, I would of liked it to be longer and for Caroline to bring out more examples of how to comfort others who experience extreme loss abuse and pain with our words, and for her to go more deeply into how we can speak, kind of not just with our words, but with our body language as well. I feel this deserves to be opened up more as the reader still misused and use their words to harm people in these situations.
Caroline Lacey brings out the meaning of comfort to suggest it is stronger than just relieving pain. She argues that the word comfort in the old Testament it is used more strongly to point to God’s eternal forgiveness and his eternal qualities, so how we show comfort to others is by using of words to reflect God forgiveness, and his eternal qualities.
Another interesting thought the author brings out is the word kindness. She suggests that the word kindness in the middle English is linked to Kin. So to use a word in a kind way is as to speak to someone as if we are passionate and compassionate for them like we would be towards a close family member.
Overall, this is a good book, however, I would of liked it to be longer and for Caroline to bring out more examples of how to comfort others who experience extreme loss abuse and pain with our words, and for her to go more deeply into how we can speak, kind of not just with our words, but with our body language as well. I feel this deserves to be opened up more as the reader still misused and use their words to harm people in these situations.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews