SCRIPTURE:

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)

DEVOTIONAL:

Corrupt communication is translated from the Greek words sapro and logos. We have seen the word logos before. Logosmeans words, either spoken or written. Sapro tells us what kind of words: “rotten, putrefied; worn out; of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless.”

It’s obvious we would never want to speak words that were rotten or putrid, but it really begins to cut out a lot of what we say when we realize that we don’t want to speak any words that are “worthless,” “worn out,” or “unfit for use.” How much of what we say on a daily basis falls into those categories? Are we saying things that are unnecessary and will bring no life to anyone or anything?

Paul instructed the saints at Ephesus (see this week’s scripture, Ephesians 4:29), and us, to build up and minister grace to people. God has not called us to tear other people down. And by the way, that includes you! You are not to put yourself down either. You are not to speak anything that God didn’t say about you in His Word or that the Holy Spirit hasn’t spoken directly to your heart about who you are and what you are called to do. 

PRAYER:

Lord, guide and enable me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to speak words that will build others up and minister grace to them. I repent over every worthless or unfit word I’ve spoken in the past and decree that my words will become fruitful and fit for the Master’s use. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This devotional is excerpted from Bill Winston’s classic book, The Law of Confession. To order this 240-page, faith-building book, click here.