Giving- Good and Honestly

Ephesians 4:29
"Don't use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing."

As a part of human nature, we gossip. We talk about our friends, talk about our family, talk about anything generally to avoid being the topic of conversation. But really, what in the world are we accomplishing? Are we building other people up? Sometimes. Are we spreading useless nonsense. Almost always.

I'm no theologian, but in this mind frame, I take Ephesians 4:29 to mean that bad language is not simply cursing, but any language that can be harmful and demeaning to others. Last Sunday in church the sermon was on honesty, and how being honest is one of the highest forms of love. Lying to someone to save their feelings, or worse yet, failing to help them acknowledge the truth shows of your failure to love them. So if honesty is love, and love is good, then what does that make of dishonesty?

We use bad language all of the time. Whether we are gossiping about people, stringing together curse words, or failing to be honest with those we love, we are failing them as Christians and as people by not saying what is good and helpful, by not blessing them with the gift of good language.

2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Starting today, give of your heart. Instead of taking part in idol gossip, let's take part in sharing of our faith. I know I will and continue to struggle with being honest about my feelings, but I hope you will join me in working to be honest about how you feel, caring more for the person's eternal soul than their earthly friendship. And I hope, that you will give with a decided heart, pleasing God by being a cheerful giver and blessing those around you with words that are good and helpful.