Do you ever have trouble with what you say? Most people don't think that they do. But no one is perfect in what they say. We are
told in James 3:9-10, "9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." In fact, whether we want to admit it or not, what is in our hearts and minds will come out of our mouths.
Jesus reminds us of this in Matthew 12:34, "...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." So if there is anger in our hearts, we will speak words of anger. If there is bitterness in our hearts, we will speak harshly. If there is envy in our hearts, we will speak with an attitude of discontent. If there is worldliness in our hearts, then we will not speak in ways that bring glory to God.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us, "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." Since God created us to be in relationship with each other, we should speak words that build up and bring love. As the old adage goes: "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all." It is amazing to me how harsh an unloving people's words are to each other. I am amazed at all the backbiting, and criticism, and gossip there is in our world. There is so much evil in people's hearts, that we see it come out in their words.
So I challenge you and me today to see if we can't give our mouths to the Lord, and seek to "not let any unwholesome talk" come out of our mouths. Let us see if we can be encouraging and loving with our words. Let us see if we can be positive and build each other up.
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