Words That Build Scripture Reading – Ephesians 4:29b-30a;31-32 (NLT)

"Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live....Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ forgave you." 

When we live with the awareness that the Holy Spirit is a Person, and He can be offended or at today's text says, made sorrowful, not only by the way in which we choose to conduct our lives, but in a very big measure by the words that we choose to speak, or not to speak - we will be much, much more careful to be those who are speaking, 'Words That Build'.

As we choose to walk in the Holy Spirit, rather than grieving Him, we will welcome more of His presence and control when we measure every word that we let roll off of our tongue and choose to speak out good and helpful words that will not only benefit the one or ones whom we are directing them to, but also build up any that may hear what we are saying.

This will mean that we get rid of all kinds of word patterns that are so base to our human, carnal nature like being angry, talking about others when they are not around, and choosing to carry grudges against those who may have knowingly or unknowingly offended us.

But these words will be replaced with words of life and faith - words like our God uses with us. Those that go the second mile, do not count offences, but continually strive to live in a posture of grace and forgiveness each and every day.When we make these choices with our words we can openly expect a greater measure of the Holy Spirit to operate in our lives, to the glory of Jesus. 

Prayer Father I surrender my tongue to You once again today. Holy Spirit, be the Governor over my words I pray, and may I speak those things that inspire faith in those I am speaking to, and anyone that may hear what it is that I speak. I pray this through Jesus Christ my loving Savior and Lord. 

Memory Verse:  John 14:6 NLT "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the ______, and the _____. No one can come to the Father except through me."