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 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 2, 2013 of Psalm 118:22-29; Ephesians 4:17-32; 1 Chronicles 1.
Chapter four of Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus begins a discourse on the practices believers should employ as they go about their day to day lives and interact with others as well as how they deal with the church. Most biblical scholars agree that this letter, like others of Paul's epistles, was intended to be passed around and shared with the other churches in Asia Minor, and not just with the Ephesians. So it is likely that Paul was trying to address a much larger audience with his exhortations to all his readers to foster a sense of unity within the church, both local and universal, gained by righteous living, by always striving to do what would be right in God's sight. He notes that all we have, each of us, is a gift through the grace of God, so we should use what we have been given to advance His kingdom. We should use our gifts to equip others so that they might also serve Him.
And then Paul turns the discussion as perhaps he wishes us to turn and look in a mirror. He gives us instruction and insight on how we should go forward in our new life with Christ in relation to our former life. To get a better feel for where to go in this new, uncharted land, we need to first understand where we should not allow ourselves to go based on our past experiences. Now we should not dwell on (or in, for that matter) our sinful past, for through the grace of God and Jesus' sacrifice and our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Master our sins are forgiven, but we should remember where we went astray so we don't walk that path again. We need to remember those things Satan casts in our path that trap us so we don't step in them again.
Paul gets specific in these instructions in today's focus verse, where he sounds like our mother and scolds us to watch our mouth! He cautions us to be careful of what we say, especially to others (as well as just while among others). We should not use bad language or mean words, but speak good of and to others. We should use our conversations to help encourage, uplift, and instruct others, and all in a kindly and loving manner. In this way, we can show one of God's most beautiful and wonderful attributes - we can be gracious to those who hear our words. The prophet Jeremiah put a little spin on this when he said, "Their tongue is an arrow shot out" (please see Jeremiah 9:8a). Our words are like arrows shot out from a bow. Once they have left our mouth they cannot be called back until they strike. If we choose our words carefully, letting nothing corrupt or rotten or wicked out, then our target will not be damaged, but instead will be lifted up and imparted grace. Just as our Father in heaven imparts His grace to us. Amen.
Loving Father, please forgive us when the old self rears its ugly head, when we stray and walk again in the former life's ways. Help us always strive to do good in Your eyes. And help us, please Lord, to reflect the love and mercy You show us when we deal with others, showing them the same love and mercy. Help us choose our words and our manner so that those who hear us will be lifted up and given Your grace. In the most holy name of Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen.
And then Paul turns the discussion as perhaps he wishes us to turn and look in a mirror. He gives us instruction and insight on how we should go forward in our new life with Christ in relation to our former life. To get a better feel for where to go in this new, uncharted land, we need to first understand where we should not allow ourselves to go based on our past experiences. Now we should not dwell on (or in, for that matter) our sinful past, for through the grace of God and Jesus' sacrifice and our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Master our sins are forgiven, but we should remember where we went astray so we don't walk that path again. We need to remember those things Satan casts in our path that trap us so we don't step in them again.
Paul gets specific in these instructions in today's focus verse, where he sounds like our mother and scolds us to watch our mouth! He cautions us to be careful of what we say, especially to others (as well as just while among others). We should not use bad language or mean words, but speak good of and to others. We should use our conversations to help encourage, uplift, and instruct others, and all in a kindly and loving manner. In this way, we can show one of God's most beautiful and wonderful attributes - we can be gracious to those who hear our words. The prophet Jeremiah put a little spin on this when he said, "Their tongue is an arrow shot out" (please see Jeremiah 9:8a). Our words are like arrows shot out from a bow. Once they have left our mouth they cannot be called back until they strike. If we choose our words carefully, letting nothing corrupt or rotten or wicked out, then our target will not be damaged, but instead will be lifted up and imparted grace. Just as our Father in heaven imparts His grace to us. Amen.
Loving Father, please forgive us when the old self rears its ugly head, when we stray and walk again in the former life's ways. Help us always strive to do good in Your eyes. And help us, please Lord, to reflect the love and mercy You show us when we deal with others, showing them the same love and mercy. Help us choose our words and our manner so that those who hear us will be lifted up and given Your grace. In the most holy name of Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment