And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. -Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. -Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)
Did you know that the hurtful words you allow to give life past your lips trouble the Holy Spirit within you?
We are sanctified (set apart for holy purposes), to say, think, and do great things in His name, and to His glory. The context for the verse above comes from Paul’s instructions to the believers in Ephesus on Christian living:
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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
Sometimes a situation may irritate or even enrage you to the point of knowing you will release terrible words that are like death to the listener. They also poison you inside with bitterness, rage, and anger, and above all, grieve the Holy Spirit. Such words have nothing to do with honoring God, but everything to do with selfishness, being ruled by emotion and not God’s commands on how to live and love.
God gives us free will so we can always choose what comes out of our mouths. As we walk in obedience to the Lord, He builds our spiritual maturity, so we’re not ruled by our whims and emotions, like unbelievers who do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
When we feel emotion rise up, we can recognize it and then do what is right in God’s eyes. Instead of choosing to destroy with your tongue, choose to either restrain it or speak life instead!
Today’s soundtrack
TobyMac’s “Speak Life” tells us that the words we say are like stretching out arms of compassion.
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