April 19, 2016 – Ephesians 4:29

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29Why is the desire to say words are not what most people do.  Go back and look at the first word of the first sentence.  Don’t!  Isn’t that what Adam heard from God long ago? God said, ‘You must not eat it (of the tree) or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ Genesis 3:3.  Why?  In the 4th-5th verses, the serpent (Satan) said,“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” They ate of the fruit and were punished. Both Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden because they wanted to be powerful like God.When you tease your brother or sister or friend to get them into trouble, ask yourself why you are doing it.  Is it like Adam and Eve?  You want to have power over someone else?  You want to show your self better than they are?  Instead, let your words be helpful and encouraging to someone else.  Show love, God’s love, to others by what you say to them and about them, with kindness and gentleness.What causes us to use bad language, or bullying kinds of language?  Anger?  Need for controlling others?  Rebelling against rules?  Proving yourself to be the strong one in control?The words we say to others show how much we love God.  God hears us. Let all we say encourage others.  Being kind and forgiving to each other even as God through Jesus Christ forgives us.