I'm Just Saying.

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Eph. 4:29)

I find it hard to often quote Mark Twain because he could be such a profane man. Once, however, he said, 'It is not the parts of the Bible that I don't understand that bother me, but rather the parts I do understand." Certainly there are some difficult words in the Scriptures that challenge us in every dimension of our lives.

Perhaps we need to look again at the power of our words. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," just isn't true. Words bring a blessing or a curse to those who hear them. And notice this Word from God in Ephesians that only gives us permission to speak (or for that matter write) words that give grace. It seems to me then we should only speak words that bring glory to God, bring a witness to the lost, or build up another Christian in faith.

And we are instructed to be sure that they bring grace to everyone who hears, not just someone we would speak directly to or about. Satan must jump and dance for joy when God's children speak words that hurt and accuse. When we speak words other than words of grace, we do satan's work for him. God help us speak words that minister grace to everyone.