Ephesians 4:29

Scripture: 

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear (NASB). 

Observation:

I will never forget the time, many years ago, when I heard a father call his child "stupid" in a group setting. The father continued doing it for years. As I look back and look at that child today, they have grown up with very low self-esteem problems and many issues that seem to stem from hearing that they were "stupid." They had, in fact, grown up to be stupid in their own eyes. I am using that word only because that was the world I heard the child use to describe them self. I personally do not believe that anyone is stupid, but if told enough times, a person comes to believe what they are told. If that parent had told their child that they were the best and the brightest, regardless of their difficulties, what would be that child's opinion of themselves be today? We never really think about the damage we can do to someone else in how we relate to them. If we took Paul's advice to the Ephesians (today's key Bible verse) in how we speak, how many of the downtrodden today would be edified? How many of our marriages would be filled with love? How many of our children would grow up to be emotionally healthy? Maybe we should start liberating others with our words of wholesome talk.  

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love.
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network.