Powerful Words: Building Others Up

Welcome to the beginning of Powerful Words, a devotional series focusing on our speech and how we must use it. Enjoy!

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"That's too much!" or "You're doing it wrong!" or "Why would you do it like that?!" Ever said any of these to your siblings when they are putting a little too much syrup on their waffle, or they're doing something a completely different way you would? Ever snipped at your brother or made a snide comment when your sister missed the ball? We've all said things we shouldn't have. Been snide, rude, or just plain mean. A lot of the things we say actually tears others down. Makes them feel insignificant or lonely. But the tongue wasn't created to harm others. It was created to build others up.

In Ephesians 4, the beginning of verse 29, Paul tells us, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such is good for building up..." (Ephesians 4:29 ESV). Our words can be used like bricks to build a wall. Each encouraging word you use adds another brick to your wall of trust and friendship. But just as your words can build, they can also destroy. If you build good bricks on top of weak ones, the strong ones will collapse with the rest of the wall. Saying one mean word—or breaking a promise—can tear down the wall of good you've already built.

So, what does God consider corrupt talk? A few of the big ones include:

• Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk. (Colossians 3:8)

• Filthy or foolish talk, crude joking. (Ephesians 5:4)

• Dealing falsely and lying. (Leviticus 19:11)

• Gossip and quarreling. (Titus 3:2)

We should try to not only avoid these, but also replace them. Replace them with gracious words (Colossians 4:6), speech that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:8), a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1), words of truth (Ephesians 4:25), and patient love (1 Corinthians 13:4).

I encourage you to pay more attention to your words. When someone says something harsh or rude to you, respond with a soft answer. If one of your friends starts to talk about someone else in a gossiping way, don't join in, but gently say something positive about that person. Don't lie, but let your words be full of truth. If your sibling is annoying you, respond with patient love and a soft answer. Focus on building others up.

Your words have power, so let's use our speech to build others up, not tear them down.

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