Stinky Words

Ephesians 4:29
29 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.
       

What exactly is ''corrupt communication''? There are various forms of communication, some of which do not require the use of words or speech. Body language is a form of communication. Facial expressions can communicate very clear messages, as can hand gestures. But the scripture quoted above is referring to verbal communication - the words we speak - because it exhorts us to not let a certain form of communication proceed out of our mouths. The words we speak matter.
       

It's uncommon to label speech as ''corrupt'' in our modern vernacular. Instead, we refer to ''bad words,'' ''negative talk'' and ''obscene language.'' (Colossians 3:8 tells us to ''put off'' filthy language.) We tend to think of corruption in terms of shady dealings by those in positions of authority. Type in "corrupt" on Google News and you will get back one article after another concerning corrupt governments or corrupt leaders.

Word Study: The Greek word translated as ''corrupt'' in the King James Version of Ephesians 4:29 means ''rotten'' in the sense of being worthless. The root word from which it sprouts means ''to putrefy.'' If something has rotted and putrefied, it will emit a most objectionable odor. Do our words stink?
       

Most other translations use the word ''unwholesome'' rather than corrupt. Let no unwholesome communication proceed out of your mouth. Just think: this admonition was given thousands of years before the invention of social media. As Christians who are committed to living according to biblical principles, can we honestly say that our tweets are wholesome? How about our posts on Facebook and other social media platforms? In this case, we have to guard against letting unwholesome communication proceed from our fingertips as we type. The Bible is relevant in our day, right where we live.
       

Since unwholesome communication is a no-no, what sort of words should be proceeding out of our mouths? The criterion is clear and simple: if it is ''good to the use of edifying,'' we should speak it. If it edifies those within earshot, it passes God's test. (Of course this same principle would apply to the words we type, since nowadays verbal communication to a large degree has been supplanted by texting and social media.) To edify is to build up. Words can build up or tear down. Words can bless or curse (James 3:10). It is incumbent upon us to do the former with the communication that proceeds out of our mouths.
       

When we use our words to bless and to build up, something wonderful happens as a result. The edifying communication actually ''ministers grace unto the hearers.'' Think about this: grace can flow through human speech. We can minister grace to others by the right selection of words. We know that words are the carriers of ideas, and they can also carry the grace of God. We can literally ''say grace'' by speaking grace-filled words!

Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
       

How often should we incorporate grace into our conversations? ''Let your conversation be ALWAYS full of grace...'' (emphasis mine) It's not enough to speak grace-saturated words in church. That's easy. It won't do much good if you speak grace one moment, then turn around and revert to unwholesome, negative talk the next moment. If your speech is not seasoned with grace, it will be ''rotten'' with corrupt communication.
       

''...so that you may know how to answer everyone.'' The world is looking for answers. The grace of God is the answer. When they hear grace proceeding from your mouth, it will minister to them. You will be an effective witness for Christ when your words minister grace unto the hearers.

© Matt Decker

» This post is excerpted from my book  GRACE IN A MAZE: How to Make it Through.