Beyond the Weekend

August 21 | Life-giving Words

August 21, 2015

Text: Ephesians 4.29-32 

When we’re impatient, our words are often the first to betray our inner conflict. The Apostle Paul knows this to be true and in his letter to the Ephesians instructs how we should use our words to bring life, not hurt: “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).

A lack of patience can be communicated two ways: directly to the person who’s aggravating us or to someone else, describing how horrible the other person is. We may think we’re just “telling the truth,” but really we are being mean and a gossip.

It’s easy to let our words fly about a situation that’s causing friction, especially when sympathetic ears are listening. This doesn’t benefit anyone. However, when we learn to truly forgive the offending party, our words can be life-giving. We can learn to speak the truth in love and build people up, even when they aren’t there to hear it.

Take a few minutes to listen to the song “Words” by Hawk Nelson. May our words bring life today to those who hear. And may we grow in patience, forgiving others just as Jesus has forgiven us.

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