June 20
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you,” Ephesians 4:29-32.
The words quoted above contain an excellent summary for counseling people on how to get along with one another. They are very appropriate for counseling men and women who are planning on getting married or counseling men and women who are married but are having relationship difficulties and disagreements. They also are very helpful in counseling people who are planning or already involved in a business venture.
A summary of the text is: “Have tongue and temper control!” When you control your tongue and your temper, you have taken a major step forward to proceed with love in dealing with others. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” When words go out of your mouth, they are immediately in someone else’s ear. You cannot inhale and bring them back to your mouth. If the words are corrupt, they will hurt in the ears of the other person. Even if you say, “I’m sorry!” the hurt will remain in the ears of the other person, unfortunately often for a long time.
On the other hand, if the words are good and edifying – that is, if they are words that are encouraging and uplifting, they will bring joy to the hearer. Words that hurt and are corrupt are listed: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” An uncontrolled temper expresses itself with evil words of bitterness, anger, and complaining. An angry, malicious tongue speaks with the evil intent to hurt the other person.
Such conduct on the part of a Christian grieves the Holy Spirit, who has called us out of spiritual darkness into the light of the Gospel where we behold the love of God for sinners. As Christians, by word and deed we should show our love for one another. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” With the love of God revealed through Christ Jesus before our eyes, we should be moved to show love and kindness to one another. We should put forth every effort to help, not to hurt one another.
We should be willing and eager to forgive those who sin against us. God in His love through Christ has forgiven us. Moved by His love for us, we should forgive others. With deep meaning, let us pray the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer from our hearts, not just with our lips: “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
If you are a loving, tenderhearted, and forgiving person who controls your tongue and your temper, you are giving evidence of your Christian faith!
“O God, Thou faithful God,
Thou Fountain ever flowing,
Who good and perfect gifts
In mercy art bestowing,
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unhurt by sin!
Oh, let me never speak
What bounds of truth exceedeth;
Grant that no idle word
From out my mouth proceedeth.
And then, when in my place,
I must and ought to speak,
My words grant pow’r and grace,
Lest I offend the weak.” Amen.