1 Peter 3:10
“THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,
MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.”
The last entry was on angry words. Today the focus will be on evil words. There are many great passages that reference evil words. Ephesians 4:29-31 is one. Here’s the first part: “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth”.
Evil words are unwholesome. The word wholesome presently relates more to food. Wholesome food is that which is good for you. It’s healthy. Evil words are unhealthy.
Why are evil words unhealthy? The second half of Ephesians 4:29 says, “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.” They aren’t edifying. Just like junk food doesn’t edify, nor do evil words.
Edifying words are appropriate to the “need of the moment”. Evil words are self serving. Evil words aren’t designed to meet other’s needs. They come from a selfish place.
Ephesians 4:30 indicates that unwholesome words grieve the Holy Spirit. It’s as if they make God sad. It shuts Him out. If there was any sensitivity to God, evil words turn our backs to God. Our hearts will become calloused and we won’t sense His presence.
Where do evil words come from? Ephesians 4:31 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” This is interesting. Yesterday we addressed angry words. This verse ties evil words back to angry words. Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander are all from an angry heart.
We all get angry. If we don’t resolve our anger, it’s suppressed and will eventually surface through the entirety of our lives. Sun glasses can tint our view. Suppressed anger displays itself in our attitude, tone and actions. Our words can become unwholesome and evil.
Lord, help us to bring our hurts to You and to resolve our issues with others. Allow our words to be wholesome.