Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

Sins of the tongue betray what is concealed deep in the heart, and no measure of clever conversation borrowed from the world is worth cutting off the flow of joy to and from our holy Father. "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving" (Ephesians 5:4). "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you" (Ephesians 4:31).

By giving in to discontent, impulsive rage, argument, and microscopic seeds of envy and revenge, we let tiny words become raging destroyers of joy in God. Any form of vain conversation, then, whether it be a skillfully maneuvered put–down, explosive anger or the slightest insinuation of an encroaching sexual appetite, is a murderous act and must be conquered and put away so we won't have to exist with a seared, numb conscience.

But what if we have already wounded our conscience? Because of God's mercy, we don't have to remain arrested by this pain forever. We must first humble ourselves and repent, renewing faith in Christ Jesus, accepting forgiveness and letting His grace deliver us from desolation. Because God has given the gift of repentance, we can believe Him to restore the joy of His salvation so our broken heart can be revived and made whole again. "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:12).

God is ready to receive lapsed penitents who confess sin and yearn to return to Him. "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin"(Psalm 32:5).