Constructive Language

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
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As a kid, I recall adults regularly instructing us, "If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all." It was a simple message, easy to understand, that spoke to the conscience and reminded us to give others the benefit of the doubt, to treat others with care, and not to judge. Heaven knows that we were not perfect in those days by any means (and, frankly, often received these words as a correction when we had somehow stepped over the line). But I remember this message having an impact, on both me and on the environment where I was trying to find my way.

These days, I wonder how often any of us hear such wise counsel. Or more to the point, I wonder how often we share it and model it in our daily walk, now that we are the adults. And, man, talk about a world in need of it -- a world growing daily in hot-faced rhetoric, finger-pointing, division, fear, and violence.

To be sure, at times, it is very difficult to show restraint in our actions and in our speech; it's hard to reveal a maturing heart to the world. Meanwhile, it seems rather easy, even expected these days, to jump into the war of words and weigh in on umpteen issues that color our world. But, in line with this passage, are our words constructive -- seeking solutions that bring God's children together -- or are they just contributing to the growing divide, the intensifying din?

Before we utter another word, we would be wise to recall Christ's reminder that it's not what we take in and consume (from what we may perceive as a highly flawed world) that degrades us, but rather what comes out of our own mouths -- as "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these defile a man." (Matthew 15:18).

So judge not, lest ye be judged (Matthew 7:1). And moreover, choose our words and tend to the state of our own heart well, so that we are not contributing to the very problems we are trying to solve.

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Dear Lord,
In a world full of sound and fury, remind me to seek quiet moments in each day so that I may hear Your voice, so that I might benefit from Your edifying counsel. Make me an instrument of Your peace through both my words and deeds, that my daily walk may build up all of Your children and give grace to those in my sphere.
Amen.