Ephesians 4:29

29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

This verse in scripture is rather straightforward, but its application is easier said than done. We are each challenged moment by moment to watch the words that come out of our mouths and determine whether or not what we are saying is corrupt. That is a sobering thought. For each of us can look back with regret and second guess many of the things that we have said to other individuals. In the heat of the moment we chose to overreact and say something hurtful or defamatory about someone-in many cases- a person that we deeply care about. We wanted them to hurt. We felt justified in what we said because they deserved it. Our emotions clouded our judgement and we did not realize the gravity of those words, how we conducted ourselves, and how that would impact the other person. In that moment, we blurred the lines of morality and gave in to the corruption of our minds.

Words have deep power. They have the ability to build up or to tear someone down. Hurtful words can destroy relationships, they can lead to wars, or they can have the opposite of mending relationships and leading to peace. However, once words are said they cannot simply be taken back. The person that we spoke with may not easily forget the hurtful words that we said. They may harbor resentment. The only thing that can mend these bonds is a heart of forgiveness. For many of us, this is only possible through the strength and power of God, for it it were up to us, we would hold a grudge until our deathbed. But God is bigger than all of that. He demands better of us. In verse 32 of Ephesians 4 it reads, ” And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” God calls each of us to forgives others as Christ has forgiven all of our faults. Once again another sobering thought. We all have been forgiven much, so we each should forgive just as much.

The second part of verse 29 tells us to not speak unless it is, “Good to the use of edifying.” Reading this, one can tend to think about the verse that James penned down, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (James 1:19). In order for each of us to know whether or not our speech is good and edifying to another person we have to take a step back and be think about what we are going to say. For it is better to listen to someone else and not reply than it is to reply to someone in a rash manner and cause the other person to become offended. That can be disastrous.

The final words of verse 29 calls us to “minister grace unto the hearers.” As a Christ follower, we each should extend grace to others and not allow their words to drive us to retaliate and bark hurtful words back. Rather, we should give people the benefit of the doubt and prayfully speak to others as Christ would have us speak to them. For we do not always have to have a reply if someone says something. In many cases, there is far more wisdom in remaining silent. Speaking kindly and more purposeful is also a living testimony to others. Other individuals would expect a hash word in response to a hurtful jab, they would not expect kind words and a gentle response back. In order to do this we need the help of the Holy Spirit.

All that to say, we need to watch the words that proceed from our mouths for they consequences.