Ephesians 4:29
“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, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
This is setting the bar high. Hundreds of words come from us each day. The more we talk, the greater the chance we will sin with our words. James 3: says, “See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?”
We have a great challenge to not sin. Today’s passage doesn’t play only defense by avoiding hurtful words. It tells us what to say. Our words are to be “good for edification according to the need of the moment”. This means we are to be aware of needs. Our problem is that we go through our own day and are focused on managing our own difficulties. It’s not easy to see the needs of others, unless they tell us directly. Can we pause our own drama and listen to those around us? Can we listen for their emotion as well? Can we detect their hurt and see their burden, even if they don’t speak it? Lord, help us to see the needs in others.
Today’s passage goes on to say our speech should “give grace to those who hear”. Context is huge. We may speak great truth’s, but if the person has a need and we don’t see it, our words are just noise. 1 Corinthians 13:1 says that the person who speaks without love is a noisy gong and a clanging symbol. We may be loving, but if we miss their need, our words are things to be tolerated. To speak to someone’s need may be a simple comment of understanding.
Lord, help us to slow down in our desire to be heard and see their needs. Help us to speak Your love and grace in those moments.
Today’s passage goes on to say our speech should “give grace to those who hear”. Context is huge. We may speak great truth’s, but if the person has a need and we don’t see it, our words are just noise. 1 Corinthians 13:1 says that the person who speaks without love is a noisy gong and a clanging symbol. We may be loving, but if we miss their need, our words are things to be tolerated. To speak to someone’s need may be a simple comment of understanding.
Lord, help us to slow down in our desire to be heard and see their needs. Help us to speak Your love and grace in those moments.