Wholesome Words         

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32 NASB – The Christian’s Walk – So I say this, – Bible Gateway

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NASB

It isn’t often or ever that the same daily Bible verse appears on my desk calendar and the Bible app on my phone. So was the case a couple of days ago. I’m not one to read too much into these occurrences accepting them as a coincidence. But I’m also not one to not take a second look. Although I’m persuaded God was not giving me a sign, I am convinced He leads me in my writing through daily verses of Scripture and daily experiences in my life. Today’s verse is a good one.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he addresses the ‘Christian’s Walk’ in chapter four. He encourages them not to walk as they did before coming to know Christ, but to put on their new nature. He tells them to stop lying, and not to be angry. Paul continues and instructs them not to steal, and to make sure they are working for a living. He then gets to the part where he tells them, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Eph.4:29 nasb)

This may be the most important instruction he gives. Paul is saying that our speech should serve as edification to those around us. Careless words slip out so easily causing a lot of hurt feelings. Instead of building others up, we tear them down with our unwholesome words. When we hurt others, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Paul wraps it up by saying, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Eph.4:30-31 nasb) We can only do this with wholesome words.