Keep Unwholesome Talk Out

“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 

Father God, let the words of my mouth be helpful for building others up and never unwholesome. May we remember how powerful our words can  be and help us to use them wisely.  

Hello Ladies, 

We have another simple week that zeros in on an important message: watch what you say.  

We all know the childhood chant, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” 

What a lie! Words have had a more lasting effect than sticks and stones ever did on me. (My brother threw sticks and stones at me occasionally as a kid, so that’s a literal reference.)  

I know you agree that words have great power to uplift or bring you down. So, of course, God wants us to use them to only build people up. God wants us to keep all unwholesome talk out of our mouths. He wants others to benefit from what they hear when we speak.  

Now, there can be great debate about what counts as unwholesome talk. Does it mean cursing, topics of immorality, topics on sin? You could argue till you’re blue in the face with some people about this. And we’re not going to do that.  

Let’s pull some verses that plainly explain what is and isn’t unwholesome.  

1 Peter 3:10 - For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.” 

• We just talked about this two weeks ago. Do not lie.  

Colossians 4:6 - “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” 

• “Full of Grace” means loving, forgiving, shining God through all you say 

Proverbs 26:20 - “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” 

• Gossip keeps a quarrel going and since God is a peacemaker, we know gossip is not wholesome. 

Titus 3:1-2 - “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” 

• Do not slander people, meaning do not make false statements that hurt a person’s reputation. Instead make peace and be gentle. This can be hard when you’re hurting, but it’s not of God and you must resist.  

Proverbs 15:1-2 -  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” 

• How we say things also matters; you can deliver a hard truth with gentleness and love. It does not have to be done harshly. You can make your point without adding a twist of anger to it. 

Proverbs 119:171-172 - “May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.” 

• We should be speaking God’s words of truth and His praise. That, you can never be faulted for.  

There are many other verses telling us to guard our tongues (Prov 21:23, Matt 15:11, Ps 141:3) and you should look into it if you feel you need more guidance. I believe you’ll find what you need.  

I make it a point to be as encouraging as possible because there is so much hatred, harshness, anger, gossip, and lying in this world. It’s ugly and not of God.  

What is of God is the beauty of truth, encouragement, gentleness, truth, and peace.  

God does not call us to live the way the world tells us to. It’s often the opposite case in fact.  

So please, guard your tongue today. Think before you speak and add an extra dose of Jesus to everything you say today. Then share with us what impact it makes upon you and those you speak to.  

Speaking in Encouragement, 

Marcie D