Ephesians chapter 4 v 29
Today we meditate upon two verses in the book of Ephesians; verses 29 and 30 of chapter 4. They are profound scriptures for the Church of Christ and merit much attention. Part 1 will deal with our responsibility, as members of the Church, to filter that which we speak; our utterances,our sayings so that the hearers of such will be edified and gracefully ministered to.
Part 2 will cover how these verses are sacrosanct when we bring forth words given to us by the Holy Spirit in the vocal demonstrations of the spirit: Tongues and the interpretation of tongues, New testament prophecy, Words of knowledge and Words of wisdom.
“Let no corrupt (bad/rotten) communication(word/saying) proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of edifying(encouraging, comforting, building up), that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve(distress/sadden)not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
(Ephesians chapter 4 v 29, 30)
This is our Heavenly Father’s desire for our lives. He wants us to, not only, renew our minds to these scriptures but to prove(test/try) them in our daily walk with Him. (Romans chapter 12 v 2)
Remember, He does not snap His fingers and instantly transform us. We, by our free will, are transforming by the continuous renewing of our minds to His wonderful word.
Proverbs chapter 12 v 18
states” There is that speaketh like the piercings(stabbings) of a sword. But the tongue (sayings) of the wise is health ( healing).”
Have you ever encountered a person whose speech is like the stabbings of a sword? The world is full of them: constantly tearing down people’s reputations, saying hurtful things to demean others and spreading untruths (gossiping) about those they come into contact with. Sometimes words spoken maliciously can have a more detrimental effect on an individual than physical wounds.
In contrast, the words of the wise(those that know and apply the holy scriptures) can encourage,comfort and edify others even to the point of healing. hallelujah!
To get back to Ephesians chapter 4. Our Heavenly Father’s desire is that we utter NO corrupt communication, no rotten words or speech, but instead words that are” good for the use of edifying”: words that encourage and comfort others. Why? ” that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Our thoughts, whether good or bad, affect US as individuals only. When we verbalize or speak out those thoughts, again whether good or bad, they are given substance and they affect others.
Proverbs chapter 15 v 1
” A soft answer turns away wrath(fury): but grievous ( painful /hurtful)words stir up anger.”
I accepted the Lord Jesus as my saviour in October 1979, and since that time I have hurt fellow Christians with careless words that I have spoken out; not out of malice but maybe trying to be humorous or witty. Every time I have uttered a “corrupt communication” I knew that I should not have said it ,but once it is out of your mouth you can’t reel it back in there.
My wife, Brid, who passed onto glory in 2020 would always say to me “Paul! You must think before you speak.” Wise words.
The Holy Spirit is grieved(saddened/distressed) each time we utter”corrupt communication”. That is what the word says and that is what it means: no ifs and buts. I have begun to see the enormity of that statement in the last few months; it humbles me.
The epistle of James chapter 3 verses 9,10. further illustrates and establishes the wisdom revealed in Ephesians and Proverbs.
“Therewith (with our speech) bless we God, even our Father, and therewith curse(demean) we men which are made after the similitude ( likeness) of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be.” (James 3 v 9,10)
Our Father’s will is clear: We are to filter what comes out of our mouths and cast away any corrupt communication. Our speech should edify, comfort and encourage, always ministering the grace of God to those who hear us. All praise to the Father, because the Holy Spirit is not grieved.
We live in a time where gossip is king: Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp etc. encourage us to gossip about ourselves, our family, relationships, work interfaces. Gossip is corrupt communication. There is no benefit to it, no one gets edified and it doesn’t minister grace. On the contrary it stirs up anger and resentment.
To counter all this I remind myself each time I meet with fellow saints, and those that are not, to think before I speak, to filter my speech, to endeavour to bless others when I speak. Sometimes I forget and my words are not a blessing, so I apologize, I repent and endeavour to succeed next time.
Our final scripture today
James chapter 3 verse 2
“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle(direct) the whole body.”
As I have endeavoured to filter that which I speak, this verse has come alive for me. Just as the horse is controlled by the bridle and bit in it’s mouth, so my body, my way of life, is bridled or directed by what I speak. As I filter my speech I somehow feel in control of situations, conversations etc., my attitude is give oriented, I am thinking of the hearers and not myself, joyfully knowing that I am doing the Father’s will, edifying and ministering grace to those to whom I speak. They are blessed, I am blessed and the Holy Spirit is blessed also.
Have a glorious day!