The Medicine Cabinet: Get Help — Thursday
Ephesians 4:29b
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT)
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
We’ve all heard the age-old adage, and we’ve all experienced just how untrue it is. Words do indeed hurt. And long after bones have healed, the sting and damage of words stick with us. What we say has enormous potential.
Not surprisingly, the Bible has a lot to say about what we say. And not just what, but how we say it.
The Bible talks about the content of our words (Psalm 19:14, Colossians 4:6), the tone of our words (Proverbs 15:1, Psalm 15:2), and even the restraint of our words (Proverbs 17:27, James 1:26, Psalm 141:3).
Most importantly, it talks about the effect our words have on the people who hear them. Today’s verse is a prime example: “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
So, take an inventory of your speech. Is everything you say good and helpful?
Everything you say to your co-workers?
Everything you say to your friends?
Everything you say to your children?
Everything you say to your spouse?
Look at how this same verse is translated in the NIV: “...only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” What an impossible standard.
Only what is helpful.
Only what will build others up.
Only what will benefit those who hear it.
Let’s be honest, we would all score poorly on that test. But don’t let that discourage you.
God never reveals our hearts to discourage us. God never sets a lofty standard for our speech and demands that we reach it on our own, sitting back and waiting for us to fail. Rather, He gives us everything we need in life for godly speech (2 Peter 1:3).
God wants us to see the potential of our words—the opportunity that they have for good. We have a responsibility. We are to speak with purpose—to edify those who hear us. The words we say should flow from a heart that is centered on Jesus, and should deliver timely grace and encouragement to others.
Thursday’s Reflection
Try it for the rest of today: Say only things that build others up. Only words that benefit those who listen. Start out by memorizing Ephesians 4:29 to help remind you throughout the day.
