“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29, NRSV)
The scripture for today from Ephesians 4:29 contains caution. It urges the follower of Christ to “let no evil talk come out of the mouth”. To explain what “evil talk” implies, I looked up the Greek word used in this verse by the Apostle Paul. Taken in context, “evil talk” is talk that is “unwholesome”, “decaying”, “destructive”, or “of little worth”. By way of understanding, destructive criticism is meant to hurt someone irreparably. It is meant to tear down a person’s heart, mind, or spirit. Constructive criticism is meant to help a person, to bring healing and wholeness and redemption. The “evil talk” in the scripture for today implies words that are meant to hurt, to cause suffering, to be unhelpful, or to manipulate for evil intent. That is why the scripture goes on to say that the only talk that should come out of the faithful mouth is that which “is useful for building up” and “gives grace to those who hear”.
I found it very interesting that the Greek dictionary I used to study this verse stated specifically that “evil talk” does not mean something is offensive to a person. What might seem offensive may in fact be something godly, helpful, healing, or full of grace. When a person is bound by sin, the loving correction of a faithful person may seem “offensive” when it is completely loving and helpful. That doesn’t mean a person will accept loving or healing or helpful words. It just means that the faithful person should be careful to use words that are loving and healing, even if another person may find them offensive.
However, this verse does not give a person the right to go around judging and throwing around opinions as he or she sees fit. Even if a person is religious, that person may be overbearing and judgmental! This verse is meant as a caution to every person of faith, to think before speaking and to speak only those words that the Holy Spirit deems right for that moment.
Words are important. They can make or break a heart and soul. All loving people find it difficult at times to find the right words for an occasion, use the right words in an argument, and choose words that heal rather than words that will cause irreparable harm. That is also why Paul wrote just a few verses before our scripture for today that the true follower of Christ should “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Notice here that you are not just to speak the truth, but speak it in love, speak it using God’s wisdom, speak the truth with loving intent. It may be all too easy to speak the truth in a harsh way and even with evil intent!
In his comments on Ephesians, John MacArthur wrote that “you can learn much about a person’s character if you listen long enough to what he says. In the same way, others learn much about you as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart?” (Drawing Near, p. 177)
While sitting in a restaurant booth contemplating what to say for his next sermon, a pastor overheard a heated argument between a woman and her daughter two booths away. Though the woman half-whispered, her words were clear to the pastor, “Laura, you will never amount to anything. You are just like your father. I hate you. I’m leaving. Here’s the money for breakfast. Go to hell!” With that, the woman stormed out of the restaurant. The twenty-something young woman sat there in silence. She dabbed at her eyes. Tears had soaked her shirt. She tried to hide her hurt and shame. It was a terrible thing to overhear.
As the pastor contemplated what to do for the hurting young woman, he could not find the right words. He didn’t want to inject himself into her booth… he didn’t know her, and she might be fearful at a stranger’s approach. So, after a short prayer, feeling that the Holy Spirit wanted him to do something, he wrote down a few simple words. He left money for his bill, got up from the booth, walked toward the door and dropped the note in front of the girl, and continued toward the exit. On the note, he had scribbled, “God loves you very much. Never forget that!” As the pastor turned to open the door he looked back toward the young woman with a soft smile. Then, the woman mouthed five simple words, “Thank you so very much!”, while touching her heart. The tears rained down her cheeks.
Words are crucial. They are the tools we use to communicate to one another. They are also used by God to communicate life-giving wisdom and grace and so much more. Words can be used for evil purposes as well, but God never uses words to engender evil. Even when God curses something, it is not to promote evil but instead to eradicate it.
Today’s scripture is a reminder to watch what you say and how you say it. Do your words ever signal evil intent, even when you don’t mean it? Does your body language send the wrong message, even when your words seem right for the situation? Words are conveyed with much intent. Your body language can even nullify your words or give them evil intent without your being aware of the subtle nuances involved! Your words can be a holy gift or a soul-destroying piece of work.
Anyone who tells you that communicating is easy is lying to you. It is difficult to share the right words at the right time with the right intent and the right body language. However, when the right words come out as God intends, healing will break forth. You have the power to use words to bring life and healing, evil and destruction, hope and peace, or damnation. Choose your words wisely. Let the Holy Spirit guide the process!
I found it very interesting that the Greek dictionary I used to study this verse stated specifically that “evil talk” does not mean something is offensive to a person. What might seem offensive may in fact be something godly, helpful, healing, or full of grace. When a person is bound by sin, the loving correction of a faithful person may seem “offensive” when it is completely loving and helpful. That doesn’t mean a person will accept loving or healing or helpful words. It just means that the faithful person should be careful to use words that are loving and healing, even if another person may find them offensive.
However, this verse does not give a person the right to go around judging and throwing around opinions as he or she sees fit. Even if a person is religious, that person may be overbearing and judgmental! This verse is meant as a caution to every person of faith, to think before speaking and to speak only those words that the Holy Spirit deems right for that moment.
Words are important. They can make or break a heart and soul. All loving people find it difficult at times to find the right words for an occasion, use the right words in an argument, and choose words that heal rather than words that will cause irreparable harm. That is also why Paul wrote just a few verses before our scripture for today that the true follower of Christ should “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Notice here that you are not just to speak the truth, but speak it in love, speak it using God’s wisdom, speak the truth with loving intent. It may be all too easy to speak the truth in a harsh way and even with evil intent!
In his comments on Ephesians, John MacArthur wrote that “you can learn much about a person’s character if you listen long enough to what he says. In the same way, others learn much about you as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart?” (Drawing Near, p. 177)
While sitting in a restaurant booth contemplating what to say for his next sermon, a pastor overheard a heated argument between a woman and her daughter two booths away. Though the woman half-whispered, her words were clear to the pastor, “Laura, you will never amount to anything. You are just like your father. I hate you. I’m leaving. Here’s the money for breakfast. Go to hell!” With that, the woman stormed out of the restaurant. The twenty-something young woman sat there in silence. She dabbed at her eyes. Tears had soaked her shirt. She tried to hide her hurt and shame. It was a terrible thing to overhear.
As the pastor contemplated what to do for the hurting young woman, he could not find the right words. He didn’t want to inject himself into her booth… he didn’t know her, and she might be fearful at a stranger’s approach. So, after a short prayer, feeling that the Holy Spirit wanted him to do something, he wrote down a few simple words. He left money for his bill, got up from the booth, walked toward the door and dropped the note in front of the girl, and continued toward the exit. On the note, he had scribbled, “God loves you very much. Never forget that!” As the pastor turned to open the door he looked back toward the young woman with a soft smile. Then, the woman mouthed five simple words, “Thank you so very much!”, while touching her heart. The tears rained down her cheeks.
Words are crucial. They are the tools we use to communicate to one another. They are also used by God to communicate life-giving wisdom and grace and so much more. Words can be used for evil purposes as well, but God never uses words to engender evil. Even when God curses something, it is not to promote evil but instead to eradicate it.
Today’s scripture is a reminder to watch what you say and how you say it. Do your words ever signal evil intent, even when you don’t mean it? Does your body language send the wrong message, even when your words seem right for the situation? Words are conveyed with much intent. Your body language can even nullify your words or give them evil intent without your being aware of the subtle nuances involved! Your words can be a holy gift or a soul-destroying piece of work.
Anyone who tells you that communicating is easy is lying to you. It is difficult to share the right words at the right time with the right intent and the right body language. However, when the right words come out as God intends, healing will break forth. You have the power to use words to bring life and healing, evil and destruction, hope and peace, or damnation. Choose your words wisely. Let the Holy Spirit guide the process!