A Thought for the week
Week of May 18
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. Ephesians 4:29
Words can hurt. They can be a spear into the heart. I have heard the phrase “tough love,” a way to speak the truth to some who you love and want to change their lives in a certain way. Often, “tough love” is speaking truth with no regard to the other in any way. I do believe we need to speak truth but in a way like Paul writes in this passage. Speaking truth in a way that is helpful, will build up the other, and is beneficial. This, in my view, means that we cannot speak truth without helping the other. Without taking time to help grow and relate to the other, and getting to know the other. Christ’s words changed lives not only because he spoke them, but he spoke them to help all people grow.