"What Did You Say?"

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Ephesians 4:29

I am going to read this verse from the Amplified Bible because it correctly defines the word "corrupt"-- "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it."

In this verse we are told to watch our words- what to say and what not to say. I wonder why it was necessary to tell Christians not to use obscene or foul words, or profanity. You would think that we would never use that sort of speech because we are following the example of Christ, have His nature in us as well as the fact that we are being transformed into His likeness. But evidently it is necessary or the Holy Spirit would not have impressed on the writer to put this verse in there. Since it is in there, there must have been a need for it to be addressed. So we will address it this morning.

What type of words do you say? What "language" do you use? Do you use profanity? Do you have "by words" that you say in place of profanity? Do you say "worthless" things that really have nothing to do with anything? (Some people just like to hear themselves talk.) Do you speak evil of others? Are you always criticizing and judgmental? What about complaining- I know people who would have nothing to say if they didn't have something to complain about? Are you always talking doom and gloom, fear and doubt? Are you always "poor mouthing"? (That means feeling sorry for yourself and talking about how bad things are for you.) Or are your words full of praise and thanksgiving? Is your mouth filled with kindness and words of faith? Do you build people up or cut them down with your words? The old adage says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me." Wrong! Words can be harmful. Are yours? Or are they beneficial?

Have a great day. Pay attention today to what kind of words are coming out of your mouth. Are you talking like Jesus would talk?

For further reading:
Psalm 19:14; 34:1; 89:1; 109:30
Proverbs 31:26
Romans 10:8
Colossians 4:6