Corrupting Talk

Samuel Clemens, writing under the pseudonym Mark Twain, famously said, “It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than open ones mouth and remove all doubt.” We have all been there. That moment where you say something and then immediately regret that you let those words slip between your lips. Samuel Clemens might have come up with this quote after reading from a different book…Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Words are the most powerful thing in the world and when they are not used properly, they quickly become the most dangerous thing in the world. Words have the power to start wars and end wars, to save lives and ruin them, to speak wisdom to millions of people or to speak lies to millions of people. One word might be enough to end a friendship, a relationship, or even a person’s walk with Christ. As a Christ follower, your words must reflect the heart and mind of Christ. If you bear the name of Christ, your words also bear his name. If you claim to love God but use foul language, make up lies, spread rumors, or whisper about things that do not concern you, then you are not one with the heart of Christ.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

-       Ephesians 4:29

“Corrupting talk” in this context refers to something rotten or foul. Other translations use the word “unwholesome”. This is not limited to what we refer to as using curse words or cussing. Corrupting talk is something that is rotten and causes divides among Christ followers. Anything unwholesome that you say that causes divide among believers is rotten. Not only does it harm the relationships of everyone involved, it comes with the potential to destroy the Kingdom of God. Your words have the power to divide believers. They also have the power to do the opposite of that last part in Eph. 4:29. Our words are supposed to give grace to those who hear. Your words must reflect the heart of Christ so that the lost can see His light through your words. Speak appropriate words that build up and do not become tempted to speak corrupting words.