You're An Angel! (TT)

 "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 ESV).

Corrupt communication does much harm to others.  It is unwholesome talk that does not edify, build up or benefit the hearer.  Don't let it come out of your mouth.  Keep the gates closed!

When I think of "corrupt or unwholesome talk," I used to only associate it with foul language and swearing.  I hadn't connected the Ephesians 4:29 verse with belittling words before.  But it really makes sense to me to do so now that it was pointed out to me.

Words that tear another down instead of building them up are certainly corrupt and unwholesome.  To constantly be called 'stupid' or 'lazy' hits at a person's self-esteem.  The synapse of a person's brain begins to call themself by those terms and they come to think and act them out as well.

No doubt we can think of many other belittling words and actions that hurt another, often intentionally used.  Let's consciously eliminate these from our vocabulary as well as the attitudes of the heart that propagate them.

In other words, as followers of Jesus Christ, we need to actually follow Him and speak what builds another up, not just in their holy faith but even in their self worth.  God loves people so we should too and one way to do so is to give encouraging words, compliments (NOT flattery though) of "good job," "well done," and the like.

From personal experience, I'll never forget when a child told me, "You're an angel!"  It was over a small act of hospitality towards him and I felt the act didn't really merit the title but it sure made my day!  A lift gift for sure.

No one had ever called me an angel before, nor since, come to think of it, ha, ha, but it made an impression and gladdened the day.  His mother must have used similar terms very often in order for such a young chap to vocalize them as well. He could be generous with his beneficial words.  The Mom had made it her habit and inculcated it into her son in so doing.

We can change the unwholesome habit into well-placed words of affirmation and respect, creating a new habit of building others up.  If it's not your natural bent, it could be a challenge but not an imposssilbe one.  

Seek the Lord and His strength and ask Him to give you reminders to speak only what helps and heals and to keep the gates locked up tight on that which does not.

Father God, thank You so much for loving us and caring about us and being concerned for our well being.  You have spoken blessings over us, Your children, and built us up through our faith in Jesus Christ.  May we ever come to be more like Him in our attitudes and in our words we speak to others.  May they be good and helpful words, words which build them up and not belittling words which tear them down.  Make us 'angels' - so to speak.

May Your Holy Spirit actively govern what we think and say.  May He help us eliminate the unwholesome and promote the beneficial words that bring hope and healing to others.  This Your chidlren ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                              ~ ERC  May 2025 ~

Based on Ephesians 4:29 (ESV & NIV).  Also, 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues - Chapter 13 - The Belittling Tongue.

Sing, Unwholesome Talk, along with His Sheep Scripture Song.

Check out this related link:  Betrayal-Proof Gates.

FYI:  I do not believe that a person becomes an angel.  I believe that God created angels as a different entity to human beings.  However, in our language, generally speaking, 'angels' are seen as very good and helpful beings that people think of favorably; therefore this is the context I use the term in this article.