
June 13, 2024
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers
- Ephesians 4:29.
When most people think about communication, they think about speaking. But what does it mean to speak? Speaking is a form of communication associated with the vocalization of thoughts, opinions, and feelings delivered with the parts of the body responsible for speech.
But do we only communicate with our speech organs? No. For example, in Psalm 19:1- 4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world”.
In this verse we see that it is possible to communicate, to declare even “without words”. They communicate by their existence and actions. As it is commonly said “actions speak louder than words”. Without speaking, we can communicate, and the things we communicate (through the things we do) carry often more weight than the things we say. So we should see our actions as communications.
And when we do communicate through speech, the quality of our communication and what we communicate matter. It should be used to strengthen, uplift and build up others. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” - Ephesians 4:29.
Relatedly, we should exhort one another when we communicate “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” - Hebrews 10:24 - 25
Finally, when we communicate, we should do so in love to comfort one another “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” - 1 John 3:18.
The admonition in this verse to love “in deed” is a solid reminder that communication—good communication—includes actions. May our communications today be sound and edifying both in words and in deeds in Jesus name.
Song of Worship
Let The Words Song by Don Moen| Integrity Music
Prayer -Dear Lord, help me to communicate Your love, and Your nature to those around me today. Let me words and actions and even my thoughts be pleasing to You today, and everyday in Jesus name. Amen
Bible in 1 year: Ezra 6-8; John 21