29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

Building Up

This week, we have investigated Barnabas: the Son of Encouragement. Ephesians 4:29 highlights a specific command to use our words to build others up, which we saw exemplified in Barnabas's life.Paul states, "No foul language should come from your mouth.""Foul" (sapros, σαπρός) pertains to something that is rotten, decaying, unwholesome, or evil. This word pictures rotten fruit, with its discoloration, it's smell and it's texture. Paul is commanding the church at Ephesus to let no rotten, unwholesome, or evil words come out of their mouths.Instead of foul words, Paul commands that only what is "Good" (agathos, ἀγαθός) should exit our mouths. What makes these words good, is their ability to build someone up according to their need.

Our words are either stones that we throw or blocks by which we build.

There is no such thing are neutral words. Your words are either building up or they are tearing down. Your words have the power to speak life or to speak death.Today, take an inventory of your words:

Are they foul or are they good? Do they build up or do they tear down? Do they give grace or do they give judgement to those who hear them?

Your words are powerful! May we build up those around us in Jesus's name.