Have you ever experienced a day in your life when you were really down and out, and then some one came along and said just the right thing to make you feel much better? I know I have had days such as this. We all do!

And I bet most of us also have had bad days turn into WORSE days when some-one came along and said something that hurt us. Brethren, the Bible is clear that our words matter. Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison,” says James 3:8. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers,” Ephesians 4:29.

What does this word “edifying” mean? Interestingly, the Greek meaning of this word has to do with architecture! According to Strong’s, this Greek word, oikodomē, means “architecture, a structure, figuratively confirmation: – building, edify/edification,/edifying).”

So we have the picture of a building! Our words either build each other’s “buildings” up, or they tear each other’s buildings down! When you assess your words, do they build others up, or do they tear people down? Paul says that Christians ought to be those who build others up with our words!

Therefore, offer a word of encouragement to somebody! Be a Barnabas! Write somebody a card. Let someone know they are doing a good job. Tell someone you appreciate them. Tell someone you love them! You do these things, and you can be sure that others will be edified by your speech!

With love, Chase