Edification

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Confession time. I work in a pretty unwholesome environment, just by the fact of me working with pagans. To be honest, although I don't let unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, it enters my mind.

Paul gives the Ephesian church, and us, a positive alternative to unwholesome talk. Instead of knocking people down, we should seek to edify them. So often we put people down, even if it's in the name of 'banter'.

Our concern shouldn't be selfish. Instead, we should be looking out for other people's needs instead of preoccupying ourselves with our own. Christ is our ultimate example, and substitute for times we fail.

Our concern shouldn't be to raise laughs by outrageous speech. Instead, we ought to be trying to benefit those who listen to us. It's about being a blessing rather than a curse to others.

'Dear Lord, please help us to encourage others and not to knock them down. May our concern be to bless, even as You bless us. In Christ's name we pray, amen'