THURSDAY June 20, 2024
Ceasing Corrupt Speech
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:29-30
Corrupt speech is not befitting a Christian; it does not edify anyone. Using filthy language is sinful. Stop cussing! Separate yourself from people when they start enjoying telling dirty jokes. Speak what is acceptable in the sight of God: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). The mouth and the heart are connected!
Christians need to be careful with their words. Our words can tear people down or build them up. Do not use your mouth as a weapon for evil to crush people’s spirits and destroy them. Instead, use kind, pleasant words to encourage and to build up one another: Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24).
One of the qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman was her wise and kind speech: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26). When you open your mouth, what comes out of it? Wisdom or foolishness?
King David prayed for God to help him govern his mouth. He prayed: Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3). Even with his enemies present before him, David did not want to sin against God with his words. He said to himself: “I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me” (Psalm 39:1).
Sometimes it is best to just remain silent before the wicked––to say nothing to those who try to revile or antagonize you. Why not exhibit meekness? The quality of having self-control.
Whatever is unlike Christ in conduct, speech or disposition grieves the Spirit of God.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
