Ephesians 4:29 - Our Words Should Edify.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) 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 (NLT) Dont use foul or
abusive language. Let everything you say be good and
helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement
to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 (AMP) Let no foul or
polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or
worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only
such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the
spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the
need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing
and give grace (Gods favor) to those who hear
it.
INTRODUCTION
We are counseled to let no corrupt
communication proceed out of our mouth; but a corrupt
communication is not simply something that is vile and
vulgar. It is any communication that will eclipse
from the mind the view of Christ, that will blot
from the soul true sympathy and love. It is a
communication in which the love of Christ is not
expressed, but rather sentiments of an un-Christlike
character (Letter 43, 1895). 6BC1117
COMMENTARY PEARL
Ministry of Appreciation
Radical gratitude means youre going to
walk through life being grateful in every
situation, no matter what"in times of plenty, when
times are tight, when times are good, bad, right,
wrong, whatever. You can develop an attitude of
gratitude by choosing to be grateful in every
situation. The attitude of radical gratitude actually
serves others; it becomes a ministry.
Have you realized that every believer is
a minister? You are a minister! Because every
Christian is a minister, that means you should be
serving other people. In fact, youre saved to
serve. And one ministry you can develop is the
ministry of appreciation.
Do you know what the word
appreciation means? If youve ever bought a car, you
know the meaning of depreciation. The moment you
drive it off the lot, its worth less than you
paid for it, even if its a brand-new vehicle.
Depreciation means to decrease in value.
Appreciation is the opposite. It means to increase in
value.
When you appreciate your husband, you
raise his value. When you appreciate your wife,
you raise her value. When you appreciate your
kids, you raise their value. When you appreciate
your co-workers, you raise their value to you and
to the company. When you appreciate your boss,
you raise his or her value.
The ministry of appreciation raises the
value of people. As you develop radical gratitude,
you can make a ministry out of raising the value
of people simply by appreciating them.
The Bible says it like this: 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 (NIV)
One of the things Ive discovered is
that everyone needs massive doses of
encouragement. Ive never met anybody whos said, Oh
no! I dont need a compliment! I have too
many. Please, stop! Im too affirmed. Dont
give me anymore.
You have an unqualified need to be
affirmed, to be loved, to be appreciated"and so does
everybody else. If you want to be used by God,
heres one way: Affirm everyone. Appreciate
everyone. Show gratitude to everyone.
Thats how you develop a ministry of
appreciation. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Three years into my role as senior
minister of our church, a former senior minister
returned, not only to live in our city, but also to
serve on our staff. Charles Prince was thirty
years my senior, Harvard educated, and a member of
the Mensa society. I was in my midthirties, a
rookie, and a charter member of the Dense society.
The relationship could have been awkward and
intimidating, but Charles preempted any stress with a
visit to my office, during which he said, "There
will be no tension in our relationship. I'm going
to be your biggest cheerleader.'
He was! For twenty-five years, right
until the day he died, I could count on a
post-sermon pat on the back. 'You're getting better
every week!" I found that hard to believe, but I
always appreciated it.
Such encouragement has a Michelangelo
impact on people. The sculptor saw the figure of
David within the marble and carved it out. The
encourager sees your best self and calls it out, not
with a chisel, but with words of affirmation. Be
an encourager today! [You Can Count On God by
Max Lucado]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians 4:29 - Our Words Should Edify; How
Its Done.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210427-1013.html
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - BE AN ENCOURAGER.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200322-0751.html
Colossians 4:6 - Speaking with Grace
Seasoned with Salt.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180428-1514.html
Matthew 12:34 - Speech Reveals the Heart.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220629-0829.html
James 3:8 - We Need Christ For Speech
Control.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220228-0931.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
