Dec 15 2024

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.

In today's verse, Paul reminds the Ephesians of the importance of guarding the words they speak. We should not speak to hurt other people or forward ourselves, but instead to edify and show grace to other people. God has given us speech in order that we may bless and encourage one another, not tear each other down.

Being mindful of our speech is sometimes one of the most challenging aspects of Christianity. It can be very easy to speak things hastily, out of emotion, instead of reminding ourselves to take our thoughts back to the Lord. In this verse, however, we are commanded to let no corrupt communication come out of our mouths. This, while impossible to accomplish on our own, is indeed possible because God will empower us.

The Lord is very serious about the words that we speak because what we say reveals the condition of our hearts. Our words have the ability to help —and as well as hurt&mdah;other people. Think about the last time someone hurt you with their words. Do you remember how that felt? That it was just as painful, if not more painful, than a physical wound? Now, think about the last time someone blessed you with words of encouragement. You have the same ability to affect others with your words, whether hurtfully or kindly.

Our words are tools that we can offer to the Lord to edify His people and help them come to know Him, perhaps for the first time. When we learn to tame our tongues into submission to Jesus, we begin to discover that our thoughts have also changed. Because we no longer voice mean or hurtful thoughts, we gradually lose the habit of thinking them. Indeed, learning to give our words to the Lord is like mental training for learning to think only about the things that God has laid before us. As we cooperate with the Lord and learn to speak as He has ordained, we will begin to fulfill the commandment that we find in Ephesians.

Dear Lord, thank you for the ability to speak life into someone's heart. Thank you for all the times that someone has blessed me with a kind and caring word. Help me to be that kind of person, someone who honors you with my words. I love you, Lord, and I want to obey you and follow you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Dec 14 2024

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. :

In this verse in James, we learn about the type of wisdom that is from Heaven. There is a stark contrast between the wisdom of Heaven and the wisdom of the world. Heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to hear other opinions and perspectives, merciful, and honest. As Christians, we all have access to wisdom from the Lord, which He gives us as a gift when we ask. Let's break down the characteristics of heavenly wisdom.

It begins with purity coming from a heart that is undivided. Pure wisdom has a single aim: to serve and honor the Lord in every possible way. People with this kind of wisdom are not worried about being first in line or getting the best of anything. Instead, their primary concern is to bring honor to the Lord. Their hearts are focused on Jesus, so everything else falls into place.

Heavenly wisdom is also an instrument of peace and gentleness. It seeks unity above division, knowing that people are always more valuable than ideologies or arguments. Because of the high value that it places on gentleness, heavenly wisdom will not be caught up in emotions that lead to anger or harsh words. Instead, it will be temperate and kind in all circumstances. This type of wisdom will not hold back on mercy or the good fruits of the spirit, and it will be open to hearing new perspectives and ideas. It will not have favorites, and it will not speak words that differ from actions.

If this seems overwhelming or impossible, don't worry. It IS impossible for us to embody heavenly wisdom ourselves without God. But we needn't fret about it since God lives within us, and He, the source of all wisdom, will help us to grow and become more and more the embodiment of heavenly wisdom. God has not set before us goals only to watch us fail, but instead to encourage us to cling to Him as we become more and more like Him with each passing day.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for heavenly wisdom. Help me to embody that wisdom every day so I can become more and more like you. I want to be wise, as James instructs us, and I know that I cannot do that without your help. I thank you, God, that you will help me. In Jesus' name, amen.