God’s Heart Today (G♥️T)
A Daily Devotional with David Olatona
16/09/2020
SPEAKING YOUR WORDS WITH PURPOSE
Main Text
Ephesians 4:17-32
Watchword
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)
The major thing that Paul is interested in here is the purpose behind our words. Paul is not telling us precisely what to say. It is more fundamental than that, he is telling us why we should say what we saying. Why do you speak? So, Paul says here, our words are to be used for good, for building, and for grace. That does not mean that you are never to confront issues. That does not mean you don’t address problems, but it does mean that whatever you do, you do it with an attitude of building up and not tearing down. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
We must guard our tongues against profanity, off-color jokes, dirty stories, gossip, double entendre (words or jokes with hidden meanings) and other forms of wickedness. Let me remind you once again that our words are a window into our hearts. When our words are good and wholesome, it gives evidence that we belong to the Lord. When our speech is foul and rotten, it gives evidence that we do not know the Lord (1 Timothy 4:7).
We have a duty to obey God’s Word,so that we can mature in the faith and progressively conformed into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus. Just as our ‘old man’ followed the sinful ways of the world, so the ‘new man’ is to walk in the way of righteousness and live in the truth of His word, to grow in grace and produce the fruit of humility; patience; gentleness and love. Since we have been transformed by His power, we are challenged to live like the new creatures we are, by the results of a transformed life ( 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Confession
I walk in the way of truth, righteousness, living in God’s words and grace as I bring forth the fruits of the spirit. Amen.
Prayer
Help me o Lord to conform into your image and likeness. Amen.
Additional Reading
Colossians 3:16-17
1 Peter 4:11