Watch your Mouth

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)

Oftentimes we read scriptures like these and not take the time to examine ourselves. I once believed that scriptures like this were only pertaining to whoever it was written to. However, I know now that this was a commandment to all believers. Not a suggestion or just a verse to take up space in the bible.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” I honestly wonder who made up that lie. Words hurt just as much as a blow to the stomach. Physical abuse heals over time, verbal abuse can cause a lifetime of insecurities.

Everything we say will have a lasting effect. A word spoken can never be taken back once it is spoken. You can compliment someone hundreds of times and they may forget. However, one insult may never be forgotten. They may forget the words we say, but it will be hard to forget how we made them feel.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)

1. Words can uplift and they can pull down. Belittling people can really destroy their confidence, self-esteem, and their ambition.

2. Bullying is not always physical, it can also be verbal.

3. We have the ability to speak life over our situations and over others. Choose to speak life!

Ezekiel did not know whether or not the valley of dry bones could live again. God told him to prophesy. When Ezekiel did so, God breathed a fresh wind over the dry bones. So we see here that by Ezekiel’s faith, obedience, and his words that a dead situation came back to life! That same God Ezekiel served is waiting on you to submit to Him, and he can place life into your dead situations. See Ezekiel 37.

What is corrupt communication?

1. Foul or polluting language. There should be a fine line between a Christian and a sinner. If you claim to be saved and Jesus has your heart, he should also have your tongue! We should not talk the same as a non believer.

2. Jesting. Making jokes for entertainment. However, this is not just regular joke telling, this is making a mockery of something or someone. I know this is hard because I’ve done this sin my whole life, but if we want to get into Heaven, we have to stop. It is always fun and games until someone gets hurt. Down talking someone to uplift yourself is not Christ like. We are to honor one another. See Ephesians 5:4.

3. Idle speaking. Of course there are times when we believe we have nothing to do, so we just talk about anything. However, it becomes a sin when we lean towards sinful, futile talk. This is where gossip starts. God always has something for us to do. There are so many souls that need to hear the gospel. We should come together and work for Christ, not talk about people. You can spend your idle time seeking God, working, going to school, or helping others. See Matthew 12:36-37.

How we should talk?

1. Me personally, I don’t like when believers stop being realistic. Jesus did ministry but he also sat down and spoke to sinners. We have to know how to come down to the same level as others. Paul said he became all things to all men so that he could save some, see 1 Corinthians 9:22. If we do not know how to be human, we will never win souls. Stop condemning people. They will come if they see there is love in the church, but if they feel hatred, they will resent us.

2. Speak words that edify, uplift, and encourage. People will mess up everyday. People get discouraged every single day. If you give them one word of encouragement, you never know the door you will open in their life.

3. Let people know Jesus forgives, so many forget that!

Today choose to watch your words. Tell someone something kind today. Do not allow what someone said to you make you bitter, allow it to make you better because your identity is found in Christ, not man. Raise someone out of the dirt today with your words!

-Tovares Grey

Share:

1. Tumblr

2. Twitter

3. Facebook

4. Email

5. Pinterest

6. LinkedIn

7. WhatsApp

8. 
   

#talking #love #tongue #words #God #Jesus #bible #scriptures