OUR DAILY BREAD : WHOLESOME WORDS

[cimi]

January 23
Wednesday


WHOLESOME
WORDS

READ Ephesians 4:25-32
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Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your
mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification,
that it may impart
grace to the hearers.
__Ephesians 4:29
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A while back, an Emmy award winning actress took a courageous stand and walked out in the middle of the Annual American Music Awards ceremony. Her reason? She grew increasingly upset and disappointed by what she described as "an onslaught of lewd jokes and off-color remarks" and raw and raunchy comments by presenters, performers, and hosts. She said the evening was an affront to anyone with a shred of dignity and self-respect.

Unwholesome speech was a problem even in the apostle Paul's day. He reminded the Christians at Ephesus that they should put away vulgarity, lewdness, slander, and obscene talk from their lives (Eph. 5:4; Col. 3:8). These were expressions of their old lives (1 Cor. 6:9-11), and it was now out of place with their new identity in Christ. Instead, their lives were to be characterized by wholesome speech. Their good or wholesome words would give grace to the hearers (Eph. 4:29). The Holy Spirit would help guard their speech, convict of any filthy talk, and help them to use words to benefit others (John 16:7-13).

We are called to reflect God with all we are, and that includes our words. May our mouths be filled with thanksgiving and words that benefit others. __Marvin Williams
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Holy Spirit, we need Your help. Guard our hearts
and minds today. Help us control our thoughts and
words so that we might lift others up and show them
who You are and what You've done in us. Amen.
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Wholesome words flow out of a life made new.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 4:25-32~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

25 Therefore, putting away
lying, "Let each one of you
speak truth with his
neighbor," for we are
members of one another.

26 "Be angry, and do not
sin": do not let the sun go
down on your wrath, 27 nor
give place to the devil.

28 Let him who stole steal
no longer, but rather let
him labor, working with his
hands what is good, that he
may have something to
give him who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your mouth,
but what is good for
necessary edification, that
it may impart grace to the
hearers. 30 And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of
redemption. 31 Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with
all malice. 32 And be kind
to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God in
christ forgave you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Christians are to live differently than non-Christians in
philosophy, morality, and purity (4:17-24). Christians also have
a different standard for speech. We are not to tell lies (v.25); use
unwholesome, foul, or abusive language (v.29); or use bitter, angry,
harsh, slanderous, or malicious words (v.31). Instead, we are to
speak truthfully (v.25) and gracefully, with words that will edify,
build up, encourage, and benefit those who listen (V.29). As Christ-
followers, we do well to imitate Jesus for "all spoke well of Him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips"
(Luke 4:22 NIV).