Verse of the Day 5/30

Verse of the Day 5/30

Ephesians 4:29  Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].   Amplified Bible (AMP)

Today's verse is one of those that we need to read, that I need to read, remember and follow on a daily basis.  The Amplified Bible referenced here expands upon what characterizes "unwholesome" words.  The Message begins the passage with "watch the way you talk".  It means to pay attention to what we say, we are to have some sort of filter that prevents this sort of talk from coming out of our mouths.

Memorial Day is a day when we look back on those who have served our country and gave their lives for the freedoms that we have.  I read a story from A. W. Tozer about a former general and president of the United States that gives an example of what it would look like to honor today's verse.

"There was once a gathering of officers, and George Washington was present in the room. One of the young officers began to think about a dirty story that he wanted to tell, and he got a smirk on his face. He looked around and said, "I'm thinking of a story. I guess there are no ladies present." Washington straightened up and said, "No, young man, but there are gentlemen." The young officer shut his mouth and kept the dirty story inside his dirty head and heart.  .....Anything you could not tell with Jesus present, do not tell. Anything you could not laugh at were Jesus present, do not laugh at."  Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church, 67.

When you see the character of George Washington, you wonder where that has gone today.  I don't think we see it in many (or any?) of the political leaders or candidates of the day.  But if we have expectations of better things from our leaders we should expect nothing less from ourselves.  I know that I fall short of the mark. 

Read the passage below from The Message and consider the challenge "Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart" and  Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style.  May we be able to say  "Thanksgiving is our dialect", may that be the language that comes from our lips.  If all of the Christians in the world, in this country, followed  these principals perhaps the rest of the world would be inspired to follow the lead.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Ephesians 4:29-5:4The Message (MSG)

²⁹ Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

³⁰ Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

^31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Wake Up from Your Sleep

5 ^1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

^3-4 Don't allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.