Learning To Use My Words Carefully

In review of Ephesians 4:29 it says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Bottom Line:

What we say should not be abusive or harmful, rather we should say things that will build others up.

What this means to me:

I am to not let foul, abusive or harmful words come from myself. I should concentrate on saying things that be helpful for building others up, such that I can become a source of encouragement for them.

This passage reminds me that God wants me to use my words to build others up. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV).

Without thinking about it, my words can be just like a sledgehammer. I swing away without thinking, and all of a sudden all I have is a pile of relational rubble. If I thoughtlessly sling my words around and tear people down, my relationships are going to suffer.

I don’t always realize how powerful my mouth and words can be. I say things without thinking. And people remember them, just like certain things others have said to me in a careless way, are still remembered today. That’s how powerful words are. So when it comes to my mouth, I’ve got to think of it as a power tool and be very careful with it.

So how can I use my mouth more carefully so that I’m using it to build relationships and not to tear others down?

First, stop excusing. Stop saying, “I didn’t really mean to say that.” Realize that what I say impacts everybody around me.

Talk less. I often get in trouble because I just don’t know when to shut up.

Listen more. If I listen more, I can better understand others needs.

Start building. Let my first thoughts be, “What does that person need? How can I use a word of encouragement to build him up? What can I say to make a difference in his life?”

What I say should not be abusive or harmful, rather I should be thinking and saying things that will build others up. Today, I ask you God to help me with my thoughts and speech patterns. I need to take a pause and think first before speaking. I need to consider how what I will say will be beneficial and not hurtful or harmful. I should concentrate on saying things that be helpful for building others up, such that I can become a source of encouragement for them. I will add Ephesians 4:29 to my list of verses that I am memorizing.