When I was growing up, cursing was something frowned upon even by those who were not Christians. There was a respect for others that caused people to choose their words wisely when they were in the presence of those that followed Christ. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the mouth was just as fowl then as it is now, but there was a consideration for others that is not present today. It has become common and acceptable to say anything, anywhere, no matter who the audience may be. The bible is clear that our communications are to be honoring to Christ. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul teaches us to let no corrupt communications to come out of our mouths.
Ephesians 4:29 “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.”
The word corrupt in verse 29 means words that are bad, depraved, obscene, or offensive to others. In Matthew 7:17, Jesus uses this word to describe a tree that yields bad or rotten fruit. It is a useless tree if the fruit is not good to eat. Words that cause the mind to think thoughts that are not pleasing to Christ are corrupt words.
Matthew 7:17 “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
Where does this kind of talk come from? It comes from an unregenerate heart. A heart that is not surrendered to Jesus and His authority. What proceeds out of the mouth comes from the heart. The heart is the center of our emotions. Our emotions are controlled by what we think, therefore we need to be careful to filter our thoughts. Thoughts will come to our minds that are not pleasing to God, but at that point, we need to squelch the thought. Pray and ask God for help, and determine to think about things that are Christ-honoring and edifying to others.
Philippians 4:8 gives us the pattern of thinking that will keep us from corrupt words. How can we think the way Philippians 4:8 directs? We fall in love with Jesus. When we love Him and understand what He did for us and what He is continuing to do for us, we will want to please Him in all we do. When your mind and heart are full of Christ, there’s no room for things that defile us.
Matthew 15:18 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
We need to guard our hearts by filling them with God’s word and being obedient to God’s word. When we don’t purpose in our hearts and minds to be obedient to all that God desires from us, we leave ourselves wide open to the temptations of Satan. If we fill our lives with God’s word, our hearts will be filled with love for the things God loves, our minds will be focused on what is good and acceptable to Him, therefore our communication will be pleasing to Him also.
What are some verses that we can learn to help us combat wrongful communications? In Matthew 12:36, we are to avoid speaking idle words. These are words that are vain or thoughtless words.
Sometimes we talk just to hear ourselves talk and then we are not thinking before we speak. I have certainly been guilty of this. Proverbs 10:19 carries the same idea of speaking when the words have no value. We must remember that God is always giving us opportunities to glorify Him, but when our words are not thought through before we speak, we can do damage to the opportunity. If you want to communicate in a Christ-honoring way, we must fill our minds with His word and determine we will obey. Thoughts always precede actions, and our actions are what people see. What they see in our lives influences what they think about our God. This is why our words are so important. I can influence for or against Christ with my words. I can honor or dishonor His name with my words. It is my choice. No matter what the influences have been in my life I can choose to pay attention to my communications so that they will point others to my Savior.
Matthew 12:36 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
