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 clear from Genesis through Revelation. Over the 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.
Unfortunately, negativity can be 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 can result in hatred and turn a bright day dark. Angry or evil words bring hurt and discourage others. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing“ (Proverbs 12:18, NIV).
You are called to be active in sharing the love of God and life in Christ, instead of being a passive observer. Through Christ’s act on the cross and by the power of the Holy Spirit, you can shift others’ negativity into kindness and love. 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 Jesus gave us a perfect example of how to exchange evil for good, forgive in the face of condemnation, and offer mercy rather than vengeance. He gives us the power to do this 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 U.S. governing officials to speak words of life and truth through the gospel of Christ, 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.
