Ephesians 4:29

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen ~ Ephesians 4:29


I took a nice juicy looking apple from my refrigerator yesterday and thought of how much I would enjoy biting into it. Just under the skin of the apple, however, was a deep bruise I did not see, and I bit into it instead of the luscious sweet part of the fruit. The bitter taste was in my mouth! It is like that with our words. We expect to hear sweet words from come from a mouth, but instead comes the foulness of bruised language. It is the way with some people. Every other word takes the Lord’s name in vain, or it is so foul a word I will not even write it out. Language is how we communicate either love, or hate. Language can tear one to shreds or build one up to accomplish what they had thought was impossible. Language is used to tell lies, and it is used to tell truth; one being destructive and the other instructive. The Apostle Paul is reminding us of the power of words here, and that how we use them should be censored always by the heart and the mind. What leaves the mouth enters the thoughts of another, and those thoughts remain there. How many people have had words spoken over them which have ruined their lives due to the poison which came upon them. Guard what you say to others. Be kind and caring with your words, and above all speak truth. I think of when Jesus spoke to reprimand the Scribes and Pharisees. His truthful words were spoken in a way which led them to think about what truth was without destroying their personal character. Should we do any less with our brothers and sisters?

Pastor Julia

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