Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up. – Ephesians 4:29
Your words have power. Scripture makes this abundantly clear from Genesis through Revelation. In recent years, organizations and individuals have experimented on social media by giving compliments to strangers and then observing the effects. More often than not, the single word of kindness multiplies and the stranger passes on encouragement to others around them. Positivity and kindness are infectious, and an entire neighborhood can be transformed through a single encouraging word.
By the same token, negativity is just as viral. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it, will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Condemnation and criticism breed hatred and can turn a bright day dark. Angry and evil words will bring hurt and discourage others. “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).
You are not just a passive observer or helpless participant. Through Christ’s act on the cross and by the power of the Holy Spirit, you can turn negativity from others into kindness and love. This isn’t just a suggestion, it’s something you are instructed to do! The apostle Paul urged believers to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Christ gave us a perfect example of how to exchange evil for good, forgiveness in the face of condemnation, and mercy in place of vengeance. And then He gives us the power to do it as well. Speak kindness where you see injustice, speak hope where you see discouragement, speak love where you see division, and speak mercy where you see oppression. Pray for America’s leaders to be filled with words of life through the gospel of Christ, speaking the truth and creating health and healing for the nation.
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
