What Comes Out Of Our Mouths Is Important

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.

Worthless Words

Words have meaning.  The culture around us encourages us to use words that are crass, filthy, empty, and self-serving.  We often find ourselves exposed to this in all forms of media, and social interactions with others.  Whether it is political posturing, movies, music, literary art, or any form of communication, we are told to stop morally tainted and filthy speech from coming out of us.

What we say is the overflow of our hearts.  Our hearts have been transplanted with new ones by Christ when we accepted Him.  It is important as image-bearers of God that what we say reflect His image properly.

Strategic Speech

Not only are we to stop the way we used to talk, and the way that people speak today, but we are to build up one another with our words.  Our words have great power, to build up, or to tear down.  Words spoken today will have a lasting impact not only in the present, but into the far future as well.

It is important that the words we choose have the intended effect that we are trying to bring about.  Each of us should be encouraging one another as the days grow short.  Even for those who do not know God, they should hear what builds them up as well.  The Bible is the revealed Word of God, but we also are God’s mouthpieces as we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Building up those around us is part of the business that God is involved.  He restores and rebuilds upon the foundation of Christ, the solid rock.  It is with this in mind that we are to be building up those who are around us so that they can be prepared for His imminent return.

Profound Principles

What good are words if they don’t benefit the person that hears them?  While we need to be able to communicate joy, sorrow, excitement, loss, and other aspects of the human experience, we should make it a point to ensure that the words that we speak benefit those who listen.

It is imperative that we remember that every word that we speak is being listened to by those around us.  Some seek to put us to the test to verify if what we say matches what we do.  Others may see our joy and try to determine how we are experiencing it in tough circumstances.  In all things, God is working them to good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  As part of His plan, let us be a fountain of insight, wisdom, and profound benefit to all who hear us speak.

A Qualifying Question

Let’s ask a question:  Is what comes out of my mouth benefiting others?

A short prayer of preparation:

Father in Heaven, You have given me a great opportunity to be a blessing to others through what I say to them.  Lead me, guide me, strengthen me, and fill me with Your words that it would be a benefit to all that hear them.  Guard my heart against unrighteousness, and fill my heart with joy and wisdom.  Use my words to build up others and to glorify Your holy name.  This I ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Want more?  Why not try A. B. Simpson or A. W. Tozer?