Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

                                                                                                            Ephesians 4:29 

Carelessly throwing around the name of God is not the only way in which we take His name in vain. The way that we speak to others, especially fellow believers, is also to be in line with honoring and respecting God. Today’s passage is a reminder of how important it is that our speech be consistent with our faith.

When Saul (later Paul) was confronted by Christ on the road to Damascus, Jesus asked Saul why He was persecuting Him. Saul was one of the chief persecutors of believers in that day but Jesus didn’t ask why Saul was persecuting Christians. He equated his actions against the believers as a direct action against Himself. Likewise, the words that we speak into the lives of others should also be considered the very words in which we are speaking to Jesus as well. Paul reminds us of three things regarding our speech.

1. Our words should not be unwholesome

We might be tempted to think that Paul is using the word “unwholesome” to represent the use of foul language. Although that type of language is not consistent with the life of a believer either, Paul is using a much stronger word in this case. Here is the definition:

Unwholesome (Greek: Sapros) rotten, putrid, no longer fit for use, worn out

of poor quality, bad, worthless

These words are rotten, worthless, and do not promote spiritual health or abundance. These words can be defined as putrid. When we engage in this type of speech, we can argue that we are taking God’s name in vain. We may not be referring to God specifically, but this language undermines the very message that Christians are to carry to the world.

A quick glance at social media is all one needs to verify that many professing the name of Jesus today do not look, sound, or speak like Christ. Wrapped up in their own theological arguments, they spew unwholesome words that not only erode away their credibility, but they do not promote spiritual health and wellbeing to the hearers, whether believers or unbelievers.

2. Our words should build up and encourage

The Bible does not merely instruct us on what to avoid (unwholesome speech) rather it provides guidance on what our lives should demonstrate. God-honoring words are those that edify. Edification is defined below:

Edification (Greek: Oikodome) building up, the act of one who promotes another’s                                                                growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness

To edify is to “build up” another. Within our sinful nature is the temptation to put ourselves and our needs above those of others. But those who edify not only prioritize and support the spiritual lives of those around them, they honor God in the process.

Paul uses a phrase to describe what these edifying words accomplish. These words are spoken at just the right time and have the ability to “meet the need of the moment.” We should always guard our tongues but in doing so make an effort to speak with good timing and with words of edification.

3. Our words should speak grace into the lives of others

Finally, our words should provide grace to the hearer. If we could understand the scope and power of God’s grace, identifying the value and importance of others, we could then begin to speak a consistent message of grace into the world. Grace can be defined as follows:

Grace (Greek: Charis) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm,                                                  loveliness, good will, increases in faith

Consider the scope, power, and impact that speaking God-honoring words would have. These words produce joy, pleasure, and delight. These words express a sense of goodwill, love, and sweetness. Take a minute and consider the people that we most like to be around. Are they speaking words that promote joy and goodwill in our lives or are they bringing us grief and despair? It is not difficult to see why we, as believers, are to be the best at bringing this kind of God-honoring speech to every conversation in which we engage.

I do not believe that it is a coincidence that Paul’s very next statement is an admonition for us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Our words can either have a positive, beneficial, and helpful effect on the hearer or they can do an enormous amount of damage. God-honoring words, those that elevate and respect the name of God and Jesus Christ the Son, are those kinds of words that build up and encourage. Let’s not be a people who honor God with our lips only to harm the very people around whom He loves and for whom Christ died.