“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.” Ephesians
4:29
Unwholesome (defined): Injurious to
physical, mental, or moral health; unhealthy; offensive or loathsome; morally
harmful or depraved (morally bad or debased; corrupt; perverted).
Moral (defined): Teaching or exhibiting goodness or
correctness of character and behavior; conforming to standards of what is right
or just in behavior; virtuous; rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual
conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong.
Knowing
our terms is crucial to understanding the meaning of anything and scripture is
no different. As Christians we are not
to let any offensive, immoral or perverted talk come out of our mouths. The definition of ‘moral’ speaks of rules or standards of conduct. Where do they come from? Who has set them up? Did man?
How does man know what is right, true, good and wholesome?
Man is not, by his very
nature, good. He thinks, says and does good things during the course of his
life, but by and large, man is not good.
Neither is he moral. There must
be a standard that is to be followed. I
submit to you that it is the word of God.
Nearly everyone is at least
remotely familiar with The Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:11–27). As
believers, we should build up and never tear down. Using Christ as our lone example, we are to
speak words that encourage and bless individuals, not make them feel bad about
themselves in any way. We are to be salt
and light, not vinegar and sulpher. Let us be a benefit to those we speak to and
not a downer. We have the power of life
in our tongues (Proverbs 18:21 – speaks of spiritual, not physical life and
death). We must use this power
wisely. Until next time, walk with the
King and be a blessing!
