Using Your Words to Uplift, Edify, and Encourage

(Prov 10:31,32 NIrV) The mouths of those who do right produce wisdom. But tongues that speak twisted words will be cut out. Those who do right know the proper thing to say. But those who do wrong speak only twisted words.

In this passage Solomon contrasts the words of the righteous with the words of the wicked. He explains that the righteous – those whose hearts are filled with God’s love and His Word – use their lips to build up and not tear down. They know what to say and when to say it. Their words are used to bless and not curse. However, the tongues of the wicked speak twisted words. They use their lips to stir up strife, to cause division, to defame, slander and curse. Later on in Proverbs Solomon makes this ever so clear when he said, “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim” (Prov 15:4 MSG). How will you use your mouth today? Will you use it to heal and help or to wound and maim? But remember, you will reap whatever so sow!

This reminds me of something Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Ephesus. He said, “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it” (Eph 4:29 AMP).

In this chapter Paul starts out by teaching on unity in the Body of Christ and he ends it by teaching us how different our lives are supposed to be now, as believers. Paul tells us to no longer live as those that live without God. He explains that unbelievers are darkened in their understanding; they live as those who have hardened hearts. These are people who give themselves over to sensuality and who indulge in impurity.

Paul then urges us to “put off” our old selves and our former way of life. When we are Born-Again IN Christ we become new people (spiritually), but we still live in our old body and we still – at that point – have our old mind. So this new man, in and old body, needs a new mind (a new way of seeing things).

Paul’s point is that there should be a difference between a believer and a sinner; there should be a distinction between those of us who have been covered by the blood of Jesus and those that have not. Paul then gets into practical differences.

He teaches us to stop lying and to speak the truth (in love) to one another. He teaches us that if we do get angry, that we should still not sin and that we should never go to sleep angry because it can give the devil a foothold.

Paul says, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” And then, in the middle of all the teaching on the differences between believers and non-believers, between sinners and saints, Paul gets to the difference that should be obvious in our speech. Our speech, just like everything else Paul lists in this chapter, must be renewed and made to align with the newness of our lives in Christ.

So what does this mean? It means that your mind must be renewed concerning your words. As a believer, it’s not OK to go around putting people down on a regular basis. It’s not OK to break someone down without ever building them back up. It’s not OK to focus on abstaining from what people call “major sins,” but neglecting to ever focus on the importance and the impact of your words. Your words can either help or hurt; they can build up or tear down; how do you think God wants you to use your words today?

Father, I submit myself wholly – spirit, soul, and body – to You. I am a believer and I will live like one. My mind is renewed from my former life and I no longer live like the world. I am new in my thoughts, deeds, and words. I will use words today to build up and not to tear down. My words shall be a blessing and not a burden to others. Use me Father to speak words of life into the lives of others today. Use me to uplift, edify, and encourage – all for Your Glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen!