The Verse of the Day

-September 19, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-Words That Build Up Others Not Tear Them Down-

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

(Ephesians 4:29).

In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul writes about the danger of grieving the Holy Spirit. No believer wants to grieve the Spirit and displease the Lord. He warns against lying, prolonged anger, and bad language. He also specifically mentions bitterness, wrath, anger clamor, evil speaking, and malice in verse 31.

In each case, Paul states what not do first, then tells us what to do instead. This is both a great teaching method but also a great way to live. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:22-24 regarding the old nature and the new nature, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

In today’s text Paul is speaking about the use of our tongues, specifically in how we speak to other believers. He commands not to let any corrupt or as it can be translated, unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth…” Words can hurt, they can tear down, they can stumble others, and they can cause division and strife. This can includes off colors jokes or stories, lies, exaggeration, gossip, or flattery. It also includes racially derogatory or inflammatory speech. It is never acceptable to put others down.

Instead, Paul tells the saints to speak, “what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Corrupt speech tears down others, but good speech encourages and builds them up. Most of us learned from our parents that “ if you have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” While there is wisdom in this, we should always find something good to say about others without flattery. The only exception is if sin is involved, then we must speak against it and take a stand.

Once we say something we can’t take it back. We can and must ask for forgiveness, and we must forgive others who speak against us. The expression is very true, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If we can speak edifying and encouraging words we won’t have to take them back and ask for forgiveness. We will leave behind a blessing and not have to clean up a mess.

May the Lord give us grace in our speech so we can build up others and encourage them. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” The tongue can either be a great curse or a great blessing depending on what we say and how we say it.

Have a blessed day speaking the truth in love and building up others. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean