S.Scripture | Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
O.Observation | This whole section (vs. 25-32) is the active application of what it looks like to put on the new man. In godliness, righteousness and holiness of the truth (vs. 24). The focus in these verses is on our anger (vs.25-28) and our words (vs.29-32). Here in verse 29 a restriction is placed on our mouths by our Master and Lord. “Let” implies that naturally unwholesome words will come, but as a new creation in Christ we are no longer to let them. “No unwholesome word” is completely restrictive. No conditions or excuses can be made for a single unwholesome word. The original word for “unwholesome” is “sarpos” and it is contrasted in this sentence with what it means to “build up.” So, if “sarpos” contrasts building up, that means “unwholesome” words tear down.
Interestingly, one of Jeremiah’s calls in ministry was to both “uproot and tear down” and “to build and to plant (Jer 1:10).” How do we understand this seeming contradiction? First, often rotten words tear down, but sometimes so does the act of speaking the truth in love which we are commanded to do (Eph 4:15). Letting the “rule of faith” help us (scripture interprets scripture), we are told to gently, patiently and lovingly correct, rebuke and reprove (Gal 6:1–5; 2 Tim 2:24–26; 4:2-5). That is the guidelines of what it means to biblically and rightfully “tear down” so that we can “build up” with truth in love. So according to the authority of scripture, some tearing down is biblical and right as in the case of Jeremiah. However, all tearing down outside of scriptures guidelines, even tearing down that uses the truth of God’s Word is to be “laid aside (Eph 4:25).” The obvious tearing down that is to be laid aside is the opposite of “gentle” and “patient.” It is harsh and hostile. Such tearing down is much more obviously to be laid aside. However, we must be careful not to simply label all correction as harsh and hostile, simply because we don’t want to be corrected.
Words are powerful and effective. With words the Lord created the world, cast out demons, healed the sick and even raised the dead. We must remember, words have power in the lives of those we speak to. Our selfish nature and pride will use “corrupting” words to fight against our own offenses and respond in self-defensiveness. Because of who we are in Christ, we are not to let this be the case. Ever. “No unwholesome word” is all inclusive of all the words we speak. Self-defensiveness should never be the case for a true believer! None of our words should be harmful to others outside of the necessary harm to help remove sin and error for another’s good. Like the harm a surgeon must cause in removing cancer in a patient in order to save his life. In the same way, we too are bound by God’s Word to hold others accountable, according to biblical guidelines, for their own good and God’s glory.
A.Application | We struggle to think before we speak and often allow our heart which is “deceitful above all else and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9) to remain in control of our mouth. We are not to let it. This takes discipline and intentional prayer and application of the Word. For the love of God and the love of neighbor “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Today stop or correct yourself, when you do not speak “only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
P.Prayer | Father, put a restraint on my lips and even more on my sinful heart. If my words tear down ever, let it be because I speak your words with gentleness out of love. Let me put off corrupting thoughts so that I may put off corrupting words. Lord, I ask that I may “only” speak what is needed for building up in grace, holiness and truth. For your glory alone. Amen.
