November 11, 2018 - - Ephesians 4:29 - - Torrents of words
/Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV
According to a study from the University of California conducted Louann Brizendine women speak about 20,000 words a day and men speak about 7,000 words a day. I wonder, given all the time men and women spend on social media, if those words factored in or would they change the results?
Our text from Ephesians reminds us to guard our words. In fact, it is in the command form. Consider all the nasty posts made about politicians. All the jokes which are off-colour. All the snide remarks about co-workers, or managers, or the union rep, or THAT cousin, or the slow service at your restaurant.
Corrupt words are basically rotting, stinking words. They are like morning breath words which we breath out fouling the air and atmosphere.
Paul in this letter reminds Christians we have been brought from death to life by the gracious, powerful work of Jesus Christ. Therefore our words must be words of life. Our words must be the fragrance of Christ. Therefore our words must be prayers to God for others. Our words must be words that show we have a purified heart and a mind that is growing in sanctification.
Will you use your thoughts, your words and all that your type to impart grace to whomever is listening? Psalm 44:21 reminds us that God knows the secret thoughts of our hearts.
God, Who in Christ has raised us from death to life, by the powerful presence of Your Spirit living us, let the words of our mouth and meditation of our lips be pleasing in Your sight. Forgive us for the times our words have been torrents of stench. Grant us the holy joy of seeing how words of grace change the lives of those around us. Make it our purpose in Christ to ever impart words of grace. Be glorified, in our thoughts and words, in what we type and all we filter out of our words, be glorified O God of Splendour and Loving-mercy. Amen.
