Ephesians 4:29-30 (NASB)
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. What a lie. Words do hurt. Careless words. Angry words. Slanderous words. Abusive words. Accusative words. Judgmental words. Painful words. Unloving words. Unkind words. They all hurt.
We are exhorted not to let any unwholesome words come out of our mouths. That means no rotten, worthless, bad words. Think about some of the words flying out there this passage would classify as unwholesome. Profanity. It is amazing how people can be disciplined in not using profanity in some instances and in others to lose control. Think of dirty jokes that are passed around the coffee shop or the office. Contemplate the slanderous speech that tears others down. Unwholesome talk abounds and sadly in the church as well. Church people can be critical, condemning, and careless with their words.
What about on social media. Christian people love to rant on social media saying things through their posts they would never have the guts to say face to face with another person. How much damaged has been caused in this world just because of unwholesome words? Our words?
This grieves the Holy Spirit. When a child or teenagers is badgered and bullied by the unwholesome words of peers, the Holy Spirit is saddened. When tyrannical parents wound their children with abusive language, the Holy Spirit is made sorrowful. When critical church members bash other Christians, the Holy Spirit is heavy-hearted and distressed. How much damage is done in this world by unwholesome words?
Our words are supposed to edify and give grace to people. Edifying someone means building others up. I saw it last night at the skate park. An older skater spends much of his time encouraging younger skaters each week. He cheers them on, claps for them when they try something new and succeed, and stands by their sides when they are attempting a new risky trick. When the youngsters fail, which they often do, this more seasoned skater speaks to them with grace. He does not tear them down. This guy is not even a Christian. How do I know? I talked to him about his salvation last night. He readily admitted he had not trusted Jesus.
How could it be that a nonbeliever is more edifying and speaks with more grace than many of us pew sitters. How is the Holy Spirit grieved in our personal lives and our worship gatherings just because of the words we speak. Do our words tear down or do they build up? Do our words condemn or do they give grace to the hearers? It is time for all of us to do a little introspection. It is time for all of us to let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth of the words we speak. Are our words wholesome, edifying, and filled with grace?
- What is the Holy Spirit revealing about the words you speak?
- List examples of using your words to edify people.
- Can you recall any recent examples where your words tore someone down?
- Consider the unwholesome words you habitually speak.
- How does the Holy Spirit feel about your manner of speaking?
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