Ephesians: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
Growing up, the words "bite your tongue" and "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all" rang through our house. How true are those phrases and today's verse? The thing about words is that once they are out, they can't go back in.
I've heard it said that we have two ears and one mouth in order to listen twice as much as we speak.
With today's technology, sometimes it's hard to communicate through text. The tone of one's text is easy to misinterpret, and misunderstandings can happen. If I text one of my sons and say, "Give me a call when you have a chance," he calls me immediately because he thinks something is wrong. I have to text , "Give me a call when you have a chance. Nothing urgent," so he'll give me a call when he has a chance.
How often do we intentionally use our words to build others up? More often than not, I hear words of judgement and criticism. I wonder what would happen if we made a conscious effort to build someone up with our words, instead of knocking them down?
Today, is the forty-nineth anniversary of my best friend's death and though I was young and confused by her passing, I said some horrible things to her sister that even now I wish I could take back. Even though she has graceously forgiven me, there is still remorse for letting those words leave my mouth. I wish I had bitten my tongue.
Today, may we choose our words carefully, and use them only for good, to build and not destroy, and to offer grace and love, not judgment and criticism. May God bless you this day and always.
Comments