Do Not Let Any Unwholesome Talk Come Out of Your Mouth

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

Only speak what is helpful to others.

Build them up according to their needs.

That whatever you say may help those who listen.

These Commandments Are to Be on Your Hearts

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. — Deuteronomy 6:6-7 

God's commandments were given to us by Moses.

And the Lord expects us to keep them in our hearts.

To impress them on our children.

To talk about them wherever we go.

When I sit at home.

When I walk along the road.

When I lie down.

And when I get up.

To remember God's Word in my heart and think about all day long.

Live as Free People

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. — 1 Peter 2:15-16

It is God's will that we should do good to others.

He calls us to live as free people.

But He cautions us not to use our freedom for evil.

Rather, we are to live as God's slaves, following His lead and obeying Him.

That our actions and good deeds would help silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Build Others Up According to Their Needs

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 

Today we headed down to a couple of beaches to enjoy the water and the sun.

The waves were strong and the beach was rocky.

But the water was warm and the sun was shining.

It was a beautiful day in God's creation.

God commands us to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.

But only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.

So our conversation may benefit those who listen.

By Doing Good

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. — I Peter 2:15

Yesterday I had the day off for Veteran's Day.

I met a friend and we hiked down to Mission Trails from our house.

By the end of the walk, we had both worked up a sweat.

While we were heading down Mission Trails toward the dam, we ran into Mari, another friend.

She was walking her neighbor's dog.

Mari is an example of someone who does good.

She stops to pray for anyone who looks like they are worried or in need.

She told us that in Mexico, even strangers are very receptive when she offers to pray with them.

Doing Good for Others

It is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
— 1 Peter 2:15

I have many friends who do good for others.

Some help out at our Ladle Fellowship, providing food, mentorship, and companionship to our homeless friends.

Others visit the elderly and give rides to those who can no longer drive.

Some volunteer at City Tree School, reading with children and helping them improve their skills.

Others give time to help out at local museums.

And some give their money to our church, to missionaries around the world, and to organizations such as Compassion International, World Vision, and International Justice Mission.

Others travel to other countries to tell people about Jesus.

All of them do wonderful things to further the kingdom of God.

What a blessing they are!