“Don’t use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”  Ephesians 4:29  NLT

A few years ago I was on the playground with my children when I heard the airwaves fill  up with explosive and ugly language.  I couldn’t believe my ears!  Then I couldn’t believe my eyes!  Those nasty words were pouring from the mouth of a teenage girl and her target was another student with her at the playground.

What to do?  I approached her and said, “Please control your tongue; there are children around.  But you know what? I was stunned to hear such coming from you.  You look like a kind and thoughtful person.  But then you opened your mouth, and the sewer came running out of it.  I think you can do better than that.”

Well needless to say she was stunned.  Rotten language is not a fitting response to grace.  Encouragement builds up another person by imparting courage.  More often than not, most people desperately need to hear an encouraging word.  Their airwaves are full of voices that seek to tear them down.

“Don’t use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”  Ephesians 4:29