(GRACE IN SERVICE (ACTION) - Day 3 of 7)
“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, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29
“He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.” (Proverbs 22:11)
“Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness” (Ecclesiastes 10:12-13)
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:6)
“Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1Peter 4:11)
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)
"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)
Our words are important. Our words have meaning. I truly believe that Ephesians 4:29 is in the top five commands most violated by Christians. We must be vigilant of what we say. We must not only not say what is evil but we must say that which is good, and pure, and holy, and edifying, and gracious.
God has given us gracious words of truth - the gospel. As His children and disciples, we must be like Him. We must be holy as He is holy. This most definitely includes our speech. Just as the gospel heals the sin-dead spirit back to life through faith, so our words are to be that which gives life and build up rather than tear down and destroy. Spouse to spouse. Sibling to sibling. Saint to saint. Superior to submissive. Citizen to Citizen. Stranger to stranger. Neighbor to neighbor. Our speech should be encouragingly exemplary!
Our words have the ability to help, to strengthen, to edify, to encourage, to lift up, to forgive, to bring together, to love, and to heal. Our words have power because words have meaning. May our daily words to all be a reflection of the word of grace living in us! Amen.
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