FIRST TRY (Day 3 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)
As you go through your day, ask yourself what your speech is actually doing?
Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. Ephesians 4:29 AMP
Are you encouraging someone? Is your speech uplifting or “worthless”?
Awhile back in my favorite coffee shop I was near enough to hear a conversation coming from a group of folks. They were quite animated, agreeing on certain issues, blaming certain folks for the mess, and discussing what should be done to fix the problems. When they were ready to leave, they verbally and physically patted each other on the back and walked away with a spring in their step.
As I sat there I was pretty discouraged. I really liked these folks, but they had spent a good deal of time bad-mouthing others and generally not effecting any kind of real change. Their conversation took the place of real action. They acted as though they had accomplished something, but really they hadn’t. It was all so sadly negative.
This incident continues to impact my speech today. I ask myself if I’m offering something of value with my words or am I just gossiping, bad-mouthing others, or pretending to offer a solution?
Yeah, I know, that’s a really hard example, but it brought home to me how even well-meaning people can slip into speech that is not uplifting and does more harm than good.
Let’s carefully examine our speech today. What are we really offering to our spouse, family, and friends? Is it encouraging and uplifting or empty and worthless?
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Gerd Altmann / Pixabay
We’re Donation Supported