“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
Being negative, discouraging or cutting with our words
benefits no one. It perpetuates the
negative thought processes that exist in the speaker and brings down the
recipient. This is not what Christ
intended. We are to build up one another, speaking words of kindness at all
times. A person’s moral and spiritual
growth may depend on it. Profanity only exacerbates the situation, as it is
used many times to emphasize one’s point. It is totally unnecessary, yet is
extremely prevalent in today’s society. It’s impossible for us to go through a
day without hearing someone’s foul mouth.
God never intended for us to misuse words the way we do. As
believers, we must seek to be purged of all ungodly talk so as to become more
like Christ in that area of our lives. We must first recognize the
inappropriate nature of such language for someone claiming to be a child of
God. I have struggled with cussing all
my life. I have come to understand that God may not miraculously rid me of the
problem. I have worked hard in union with
the Holy Spirit to lessen its use. I
take comfort in the fact that I am more like Christ now than I was before.
Some believers would say that if a person still cusses even
occasionally how could they be truly born-again? Are we not new creatures when we get
saved? Don’t old things pass away and
aren’t new things now here? We are not
perfect in any way, shape or form. We
are, however, perfect in God’s eyes once forgiven. While our old self is dead, occasionally it
rises from the grave to cause havoc at inopportune times. We must recognize the
problem and seek to have it removed from your life. This is the appropriate response of a godly
man or woman.
If you have unholy
habits, whether in thought, speech or actions, talk to the Lord about it and
pray for deliverance from these things. It
may take time or it may happen instantly. That part is up to God. While we are human,
we can be so much more if we will only seek the face of God and allow the Holy
Spirit to do His work in us. Until next
time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
* Unwholesome
– morally harmful
** Edify - To instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual,
moral, or spiritual improvement.
