Heart-Felt Words to Build

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Ephesians 4:29)

What’s that you’re saying? Why are you saying that for? Let every word that comes from your mouth – whether stern or pleasant – be a precious gift building the listener in their journey of life from a heart of compassion and gratitude. And let every word you remember today be something that helps you in your time of your need and builds you up to become all you can become.

Swearing has always been a big no-no in my upbringing, but as I grew to appreciate words like this, I realised that it had a lot more to do with the intent of the words you speak rather than their content. They are known as expletives and obscenities because there’s nothing in and of themselves that is redeemable and indeed they are used for vulgar, degrading, aggressive, negative and destructive purposes. Under this criterion there’s quite a lot that we say that can be considered an obscenity or expletive without invoking those key trigger words. The challenge then is not to be concerned with content primarily but heart motive – what are we conveying? Why are we conveying it? What is the desired outcome?

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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Heart-Warmers

They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:32)

The conversation on the road to Emmaus must have been one of the most fascinating road trips in history. There’s something about a good chat that’s like a good wine or a good bath. There’s something about it that leaves us feeling better, more whole, stirred and provoked to better things as a result of it. It works a treat in changing what and how we do and did things. It is good to talk, so here’s to those conversations that leave you with hearts warmed and a smile in the soul!

In this series on the power of words there can be no doubting that the result of the conversation not only illuminated but empowered people to return immediately to the community and proclaim good news of new life and hope in a risen Saviour. Somehow it seems as though through the day we’re bombarded with loads of words that would pour water on life – but the reality of a risen Saviour and the new life we can have in Him has to put everything in perspective. Even and perhaps especially among Christians remembering this should inform the conversations we have among ourselves in the hope that it will influence conversations we have with others.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd