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 4:29-32
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[a] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Very good instruction in the verse for everyday behaviour. Words are powerful and we never know who is listening that God wants to use us to reach!
Amanda, I totally agree with your statement about the power of our words. We can be so flippant with the way we speak to one another. As believers, this is one way we can stand out as different.
Amazing message!!! Specially when you’re living situations like that in your daily life.. I am learning to practice the wisdom from God among those have evil attitudes towards me.. Is not easy to humble yourself with who is not believer in Christ when you’re facing attacks but is the best way to show the light through our Saviour in our lives and the Holy Spirit will show the difference to them.. Amennnn!!!
Has anyone observed how the f word and other swear words are used by people in everyday conversations these days? There’s actually an increase of foul language. I don’t know the history of those words but I realized that if Jesus is at work in a person that’s one of the things that he cleans out. There is a change in language.
I dont even think it’s the actual word, like the F word, it’s the heart behind the word. That word used to be every second word out of my mouth, and it has many different emotions behind it like hate, impatience, sex, anger, etc. The offensiveness of the word with me, depends on how the person is using it.
“…forgiving one another as Christ forgave you” is the only way we can live clean & free. So many people are the way they are because they’ve been hurt. We all to some degree have been hurt. When a person gets hurt they have a choice to make, forgive or chose to stay hurt. Their pain unresolved negatively controls them infecting every relationship they have by their “…bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” When we find ourselves in this situation, we not only need to still give forgiveness, but now also need to ask for forgiveness. We are responsible for our own hearts. Unforgiveness is self inflicted pain. We need to clean house (verse 31) and we do this when we actively forgive.
Vicki
These are such wise words. We have been forgiven much. Sometimes that is easy to forget. I find it easier to forgive when I remember all Jesus has done for me. It is a choice.
In a broken world there can be a lot of pain. The church is a place we can go for help and support on our forgiveness journey when we need to. So thankful!
What I like about this scripture is that it says to me that God has given me the ability to get rid/put away vileness and all else. It’s easier to “wait” upon HIM to “cleanse” me but HE says put away????????