Ephesians 4:29 “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.”
Pastor Herk continue by asking, What are corrupt words that we need to put off in our lives? (1) Words that manipulate. Some people are quite adept at the practice of manipulation (artful management; as, the manipulation of political bodies; sometimes, a management or treatment for purposes of deception or fraud). These malicious words can decay and tear down the body of Christ and robs God of His glory. Proverbs 15:4says, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Corrupt, unwholesome words stab and hurts. Even playful banter can unintentionally hit sore spots that upset and injure. Musician Willie Nelson warned: “Be gentle with your words - you can't take them back. Think before you speak, because once said, the damage is already done.”
James 1:19-20 “You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.” (2) Words that are careless. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 12:35-37, “The good person brings out of his good treasure good things; and the evil person brings out of his evil treasure evil things. But I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” We need to own up to the words that we say. Proverbs 21:23 teaches, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” Think before you speak. Do not allow anger to speak for you and don’t let your emotions get the best of you. The Apostle Paul warns us in Romans 12:17-18, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Careless words are not harmless.
In Mark 7:20-22, in speaking of the fallen nature of the sinful flesh desires in the natural man, Jesus explains,“That which comes out of the person, that is what defiles the person. For from within, out of the hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” So, the Apostle Paul speaks to the “born-again” Believer in Colossians 3:5-14, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” In the wise words of Proverbs 15:1, we must remember that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Another type of corrupt words that we need to put off in our lives are (3) words that come through gossip. Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on the "words we choose to use" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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