Our Mouths Show a Lot
Our mouths show a lot is both a good thing and a bad thing. May we listen to ourselves.
Lets pick apart Ephesians 4:29-32 a little bit.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
First off, this is quite a list.
‘Benefitting those who listen’ is so well said. This is no picnic. Many of us can be biting. God help us to be something more. We can also notice how much we say to bless others. Let’s see both sides and thank God.
Self control is one issue, but may we also find out why we bleed such bad stuff. I often catch myself proving myself in awkward ways. I need to go back to God to find how God sees me in better ways.
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God is in the transformation business. Let us not conform to the standards of this world. God, many tines, must erase what as already written on the chalkboard of our life. We have indeed conformed through messaging and pursuits we have undertaken. God first needs to erase and he waits on you to do the erasing. I have seen adults transformed over 20 years where most of the work was erasing, and then the writing could begin in earnest.
Our Mouths Show a Lot Is So True- May we Listen
Now, I cannot imagine unwholesome talk coming out of these people, but it took a long path and they were totally committed to resolving their insides – and got help. To see them smile and bless the people around them, warms our heart as we know from once they came.
So yes, self control, and realizing when we have been unwholesome and saying we did wrong is surely the right path. That may be enough for some, but many need to look inside and actively need to give God space to do His work.
Are you ready to yet again be transformed? God wants to make us holy if we are ready to let Him work.
May we be salt and light in a hurting sand fractured world.
