THE RIGHT WORDS
By Joni Lakes (God’s Great Outdoors)
Ephesians 4:29
No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need so that it gives grace to those who hear.
The landowner had made it clear that if we saw a wolf we were to take it. He raised beef cattle and wolves could devastate his calves. After our deer tags were filled, Steve and I went out one morning to try to call in a coyote or possibly a wolf. We had an electric varmint caller to use for the calling... it was an old cassette player from the old Burnham Brothers (it gives you some idea of how long ago this was).
We had played the cassette for just a minute or two when a wolf ran out into the pasture a half mile away. He began making his way to us, when something went wrong and the tape began playing high speed. At that sound the wolf stopped and stared for a few seconds, then he turned and ran back into the Canadian bush.
That tape had been "saying the right thing" and was attractive to him... then the wrong sounds came out and ruined everything.
Today's verse will likely mean something to everyone. This isn't talking just of foul language, meaning curse words, although we also need to watch those as well. We are also supposed to be representing Jesus. People are supposed to see Jesus in us, so we REALLY need to watch our words that come from our mouth to other people.
Have you ever been hurt by another person's words to you? Likely so. You can't take words you have spoken back. Once they are out, they are out, and the wound has been inflicted on the other person. And they will likely remember the way you spoke to them.
We are to edify others, meaning we are to build others up, encourage, speak Jesus to someone. Believe me, I'm guilty of speaking badly to or about others in my past. Lord God, please forgive me for that. When/if something I say was said in vain or anger, and it's brought to my attention, I try to go back to that person and apologize to the person I likely hurt with my words. That should also mean something to that person. It means something to God.
Proverbs 12:18 – "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
My prayer for you and I this morning is that we walk in the way Jesus walks and talk the way Jesus talks. This will glorify Him, and you will have a blessed day because of it. I love you. Have a great day.
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