Do not tell lies about others.
EPHESIANS 4:29 (ABP)
Eliminate all sharp or foul language. Let only helpful and edifying words flow from your lips. In that way your listeners will actually benefit from what you say.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Rather than talking to advance your personal agenda or to vent your frusration, carefully speak in ways that benefit others.
DAILY FODDER
If you had to assign numberical values to your speech, what percentage of your words are spoken to benefit yourself and what percentage are spoken to lift up others?
PRAYER
God, your words are life-giving. Too often, though, my works suck life out of others. And I'm not even aware of it until they come out of my mouth, if at all. Grant me, please, the wisdom to recognize what's going on before I speak and the humility to apologize when I speak too quickly. Because I'm attached to you through Jesus, the Living Word, I'm going to pay more attention to my words. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
