Can You Hear Me Now?

KingdomView, Vol. IV, Issue 12

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29 

A WOMAN WENT TO HER LAWYER TO SUE HER HUSBAND FOR DIVORCE. The lawyer asked, "Do you have grounds?" The woman said, "I own two acres off Walnut Hill." The lawyer asked, "Do you have a grudge?" The woman said, "I have a carport that holds two cars." The lawyer asked, "Does your husband beat you up?" The woman said, "I’m up a half-hour before he is every morning." The lawyer asked, "Why do you want a divorce?" The woman said, I can’t communicate with him." Communicating effectively is paramount if one wants to have a healthy relationship. This principle is true for organizational entities as well—the church is an organization as well as an organism. The apostle Paul dealt with this very issue in a section of his letter to the church of Ephesus. He writes in Ephesians 4:29 the following words:

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. NIV

What is Paul saying to us in this passage? I believe he is saying, "Good Christian communicators are life builders." Undergirding this idea are three truth statements posited within the passage.

First, Christian communication should not be unwholesome (4:29a). The word "unwholesome" (or corrupt, KJV) in the original Greek carries the idea rotten, bad, or putrid, i.e., worthless words that flow out of mouths of some undiscerning Christians. Specifically, no foul language of any sort should ever proceed out of a Christian’s mouth. The Bible instructs us in Colossians 3:8 ". . . to put away abusive speech from our mouths" NASB. As a believer, are you controlling your mouth? (Psalm 141:3)

Second, Christian communication should be edifying (4:29b). Again, in the original Greek, the word edify carries the idea of building up or building as a process. Christian speech should be instructive, encouraging, uplifting (even when it must be corrective) and suited for the moment. Good communicators choose their words carefully and thoughtfully; their words are measured.

Finally, Christian communication should contain grace for the hearer (4:29c). Because we have been saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8a) and kept by grace (Acts 15:11), we should live and speak with grace (Colossians 4:6). Therefore, when we communicate with others, let our words be full of grace, love and truth (Ephesians 4:15, 25). This sensitivity will create communicative environments within the home, workplace and church that are fruitful, respectful and beneficial. At Celebrate New Life Tabernacle, we want to communicate and interact with each other on matters of the ministry in a courteous and timely fashion--two marks of a good communicator. This truism is applicable to the entire Body of Christ, Selah!