Ways Our Words Can Give Grace to Those Who Hear (Ephesians 4:29-32)
Inside: Thoughts from my journal on Ephesians 4:29–32 and how the Lord is teaching me to speak with grace, even with those closest to me.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
29 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. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32
These are just a few thoughts from my journal as I’ve been sitting with this passage.
These verses are a reminder that gracious speech isn’t just about holding back words that are unkind, but it’s also about choosing words that help the person we’re talking to. We need to use words that will encourage others and point them to Christ.
The words we use should be helpful and not hurtful. We want to use words that build up and leave people encouraged rather than discouraged. Sometimes we do need to say hard things, and when we do, we can say them with care and a real desire to help.
Even our timing matters. Is this the right time to say it? Am I the right person to say it? Does it need to be said at all?
How are our words coming out? Is there kindness in our tone? Gentleness in our conversations with others reveals a heart that is resting in the Lord instead of trying to control the outcome.
Our sinful speech does grieve the Holy Spirit, and I’m so grateful that when we’re convicted of our sin, our repentance is met with forgiveness in Christ. We can’t deal with this sin on our own, but the Lord has given us His Spirit. He convicts me of my sinful speech, leads me to repentance, and makes me more sensitive to His work in me. He is our Helper and Guide, and He helps us live in a way that honors the Lord, even in our speech.
If we are harboring bitterness and anger in our hearts, it’s probably going to come out in our words or our tone, or both.
I think so often others don’t know what I’m walking through either, and remembering that helps me slow down and be gentler with my words.
Gracious speech flows from forgiveness. When we remember how much we’ve been forgiven, it will change the way we speak to others. Remembering Jesus’s kindness to me makes it easier to extend that same kindness to others.
This is still an area where the Lord is growing me so much, and I seem to get extra practice with the people I’m closest to. I’m grateful He is patient with us and continues to work in our hearts as we learn to speak with grace and kindness.
This was such a helpful reminder – thank you! 💗