“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).
In a generation of course communication, we are to sound a different tone. The apostle Paul wrote that believers are to speak the “truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). What does this look like? Stop using “foul or abusive language” and start thinking about how your words can be an “encouragement” and blessing to those who hear them.
Jesus taught that our words are an expression of our heart condition, saying, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Do you speak for the edification of the hearer or to benefit yourself? Do you often need to just “air it out?” Or just get things “off your chest?” Do your words flow from a spiritually renewed heart, filled with the Holy Spirit? Or are they vomited forth from the old nature? Give your heart and your tongue to Jesus. Ask Him to tame your tongue and fill your communication with blessings and beauty.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, fill our minds and mouths with Your Word. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit to help us govern our words with wisdom and self-control. May our language edify others and be always filled with the Good News unto salvation. Strengthen us this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.