“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” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).
God wants us to use our words to build others up. Ephesians 4:29 says, “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” (NIV). Sometimes our words are like a sledgehammer. We swing away without thinking, and suddenly we look around and realize a pile of relational rubble surrounds us. When you thoughtlessly sling your words around and tear people down, your relationships are going to suffer. One reason we’re not constructive with our words is we don’t realize how powerful this tool is—our mouth and the words that God has given to us. We say things without thinking. And people remember them. You, too, can still remember certain things people said to you in a careless way—even as far back as grade school or college or when you first started working. That’s how powerful words are. So when it comes to your mouth, think of it as a power tool and be extremely careful with it. You might consider the similarities between the owner's manual of a power tool, and the way we use our mouths. The directions for a power tool say:
How can you use your mouth more carefully so you are using it to build relationships and not to tear people down?
Consider making this part of your morning prayers: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 NIV).
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