The apostle Paul does not make a suggestion for the specific type of communication that you employ in Ephesians 4:29. Rather, under the inspiration and authority of the Holy Spirit, he issues a direct and strong command. It is one that all of us too often ignore. Structuring our words to bring grace to our listeners is frequently the last thing on our minds. However, by failing to do so, our words become corrupt, unwholesome, and rotten. Paul is saying don’t talk this way (with corrupt words), but this way (with words that bring benefit, grace). Here are three translations of Ephesians 4:29:
Yearly Archives: 2012
144 posts
Three years ago I did a series of posts about facebook and social networking. Because things have changed rapidly in cyberspace, I have updated the original posts and offer them again for your thoughts and consideration. Facebook, blogs , online communities, texting, tweeting – these are things that were virtually unknown a decade ago. Today our lives, as well as our children’s lives, are dominated by Internet-enabled communities. The use of language has changed as well. There is a cyber vocabulary that is unique to the electronic world. Letter groups such as lol,ttyl, and np, form a modern shorthand that allows for an almost instant transmission of moods, thoughts and plans across cities, states and continents. People write on electronic […]
The world in which we live is troubling. As Christians, we must understand where the trouble comes from. It is easy to list many reasons for the wrongs we observe: disease, natural disasters, wars, etc., but the root cause, the real reason for the troubles we have is sin—sin and its impact on creation. Sin brings trouble and discord. Sin has brought trouble to relationships, sickness and inherited diseases to untold millions throughout history—and the list could go on. So whether directly or indirectly, the darkness in the world and in our lives comes from sin.
A new year has begun. 2012 is already on a relentless pace towards 2013. This new year will see a presidential election and congressional elections, the Olympics, new technological advances, Iran making more headlines about their nuclear program, more earthquakes and severe storms, and thus, quite possibly, even more things to worry about than there were in 2011. The question is—how practical is your Bible in the face of increased opportunity for worries? Listen to Christ’s words as he addresses worries about financial issues. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body […]