Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 4:29-30 (NLT).
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. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
This lesson seems tailored especially for the world we live in, but it was also an issue in Paul’s time. It is a sad human trait that we can be verbally cruel to each other. God condemns this behavior just as He does physical violence.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matthew 5:22). While we can’t control what others say to us, we can control ourselves and our responses.
Paul writes in Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” This doesn’t mean just telling people what they want to hear, but rather speaking the truth to encourage, not denigrate. Jesus gave us the example for all our interactions with each other and when we harm each other we harm our relationship with Him.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we grieve You by the way we treat each other. Forgive us and help us to be the disciples of today, sharing Your love with everyone. Amen.
