By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
I read somewhere that “a well-read Bible is a sign of a well-fed soul.” I believe that! You should be spiritually nourished and ecumenically healthy from a regular intake of the Word of God. In Psalm 34:8, we are encouraged to dine on the Word; “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” Once you have gotten a taste, you’ll begin to see just how good the Word is for you. It is daily sustenance for your soul; something to chew on as you go through your day. You will develop an appetite for its sweetness. You just might develop a sweet tooth.
When you feast on a daily diet of scripture, you fill your soul with inspiration, encouragement, truth, and righteousness. It is easy to tell what someone has been eating or where they have been feeding, by the words that they speak. Whatever is in you is what comes out.
If anyone ever asks, “what are you saying,” it should be the result of you having challenged them through your edifying words to be better today than they were yesterday. When you speak, your words should be as desirable and as delicious as honey that is found in the honey cone. Psalms 119:103 speaks of the Word spoken by God. The writer concludes, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (NKJV). Words can be edifying, or they can be destructive. Where you get them and how you use them is up to you.
To truly understand the power of words, let me share with you what I tell couples when I conduct wedding ceremonies. I often say to the couple, “You know that good, positive communication is critical to every healthy marriage, and that words can make, or words can break a marriage. So, when you speak to each other, always seek to be encouraging. Always consider how your words will impact your significant other, and how they would be received if you said them to Jesus.”
Make sure that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart are acceptable to the Lord, so that the words you speak will build up, encourage, inspire, challenge, and motivate people to be their best selves. Make sure that when you speak, you are never guilty of criticizing, discouraging, belittling, condemning, or seeking to destroy, but that you are providing edification and imparting grace to the hearers.
What are you saying?
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords)
Follow Us