Imparting Grace

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
-Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
-Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

"When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly."
-Proverbs 31:26 (The Message)

The Bible is filled to the brim with scriptures about controlling the tongue and speaking wisely. That's something we all learn in Sunday School when we're like...seven. But as with everything in this life, moral guidelines don't always "click" at the time we learn them. When it comes to speaking wisely, I've always been the one to say, "Okay, I get it. I won't say bad words and I won't say anything mean to anyone. Check that off the list of things to worry about." But in the past couple of days, I have realized that these verses have implications much further than not telling a girl she's fat or completely blowing up at someone for making a minor mistake.

Recently, my humor has gotten pretty sarcastic. And today it hit me that this is not necessarily good. At all. Words. Can. Hurt. Even words meant in jest can be received with pain. I've definitely experienced this in the past. And I am undoubtedly guilty of being on the other end, too. After awhile, joking insults start to not be so funny. They break past protective barriers, get really annoying, then cause pain. My point: nothing good comes from sarcastic, meant-to-be-funny comments.

Up until now, I have not necessarily recognized the importance of speaking intentionally- of taking time to think things through before I say them. That is a massive flaw and something that I really want to start working on. I know this is easier said than done, but I need to start consciously editing sentences before I say them. "Sassiness" is only an excuse for sarcastic comments for so long. Eventually, it can evolve into being just plain mean. I don't want to hurt people with my words! I want to model Christ in imparting grace through every word that comes out of my mouth. Who knows the extent of good that can be done if we all think twice about our words before we say them. As Proverbs 16:24 says, "Gracious speech is like clover honey—good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body" (The Message). Here's to trying harder to manifest that through my speech.
PB&J