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.
– Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) –
All too often in life we speak before we think. We sling foolish hurtful words around with no regard to the damage they may do to others or the consequences they may bring upon us. In an effort to bridle our tongues most of us were taught that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all.
I submit that we should strive to refrain from thinking wrong thoughts all together. The Bible says that whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
In today’s society it’s very easy to fall prey to gossip, rumors, and defamatory headlines. Without much thought we find ourselves in an exchange of verbal currency that adds no value to ourselves or others and generally leaves a wake of destruction in its path.
As children of God we should strive to model our words and behaviors after His Son. In those moments we are tempted to speak out of turn, speak in vain, or speak words that are untrue we should pause and allow our spiritual filter to construct our dialect.
We are all sinful by nature and subject to speak amiss at any given moment. Therefore, it is not just necessary, but wise to put our trust in God and allow His Spirit to give us the appropriate response in those times the flesh is begging to take control.
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
– Plato-