The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Janice Jemmott
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph 4:29 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Do you ever stop to think about the weight of your words? When your comments leave your mouth, do they build up your listeners or break them down? This verse admonishes us to speak using wholesome words to meet our listeners at their point of need.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Paul’s command to speak wholesomely is part of a more significant directive to Christians to walk in a manner that glorifies God. We are no longer to conduct ourselves in our old ways that are characterized by: (i) futile thinking (4:17); (ii) a darkened understanding (4:18); (iii) insensitivity, lewdness, indecency, and greed (4:19).
This kind of behavior is part of our former corrupt way of life, and it is not what we have learned about Christian living, which demands that we: (i) put off our old selves; and (ii) put on, like clean clothing, new selves in the likeness of God’s righteousness and holiness (4:23).
So, among other things, we must stop lying to and about each other (4:25), and we ought to refrain from speaking in ways that grieve the Holy Spirit (4:30). To accomplish this, we must rid ourselves of bitterness, anger, slander, and malice and behave compassionately towards each other with forgiveness (4:31–32).
EXHORTATION
Let us, therefore, be careful with the words we use, observant of our listeners, and compassionate in our tone as we build each other up. We are, after all, our brother’s keeper.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, may we be reminded that gentle words bring life and health and that kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. We know, Father, that death and life are in the power of the tongue. May we always choose life-giving words for our listeners, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.