29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers.
Colossians 4:5 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,
redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be
alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man.
I don’t need to go into vulgar speech here or even “Christian
cussin’”. You can easily go overboard banning, “Golly,” because it stands for
God and we all know what common, vulgar names are for body parts. It’s common
sense.
Your speech should be uplifting, encouraging, edifying, and
glorifying to God, ministering grace to the hearer. It should not be vulgar,
violent, selfish, or frivolous.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that
men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Select your words carefully, Christian. Understand that a
word can make a huge difference in a hurting person’s life or in the life of a
child. If you have to say, “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but…”
then you probably shouldn’t say what comes next. If you have to say, “I don’t
mean to hurt your feelings, but…” then you probably should keep quiet.
I would add to be careful of speech that can be taken
different ways, in a good way and a not so good way. Say exactly what you mean
and mean exactly what you say. Be kind. Be thoughtful.
Corrupt communication can be flattery and it can be
blasphemous.
Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they
flatter with their tongue.
Psalm 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp
razor, working deceitfully.
Psalm 73:8 They are
corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and
their tongue walketh through the earth.
It is very common to hear the word of God preached in a
corrupt manner, either being watered down like wine that is sold diluted and
made of little value.
2Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the
word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we
in Christ.
It can be twisted in a manner to deceive.
2Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God
deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every
man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Our tongue is a hard thing to control at times.
James 3:1 ¶ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing
that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the
horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be
so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very
small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of
iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and
of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of
mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man
tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and
therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place
sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig
tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain
both yield salt water and fresh.
Essentially, we must guard our speech for as the universe was
created by a spoken word so nations are brought down and raised up, people are
encouraged or destroyed, and God is exalted or treated with contempt by words.
What effect on the hearer will be the next thing
out of your mouth?
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