Devotionals by Raul Ries

WEDNESDAY July 22, 2026

Words That Edify

Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
James 3:11-12

James gave other analogies to help believers see how the tongue cannot have two types of words reflected in their speech. Naturally, only one kind of water can come from a spring––fresh water. It is not possible in nature to have fresh and bitter water coming out from the same opening. Only one kind of fruit can be produced from a grape vine––grapes, not figs!

When Christians open their mouths to speak, their words should bless others. In Ephesians 4:29, the Apostle Paul also addressed the area of speech and gave us an important instruction to follow: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Have you obeyed his instruction?

In Colossians 3:8, Paul also exhorted Christians about their behavior. As believers in Christ, we should no longer be like the old man––the person we were before coming to Christ: But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Ask the Lord to help you put off these sinful actions and put on the new man in Christ, as Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs:

...put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the 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.

Paul tells us how we should behave: Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (Colossians 3:12-13).

If you obey both James and Paul’s instructions, people will be blessed by the way you speak to them.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
~Proverbs 16:24~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!