Ministering Grace

As the youngest of four, it was not uncommon in our household for somebody to say something that made someone else mad or hurt their feelings.  When the episode escalated to the point of the hurt party running to Mom, her words to the offender were often:

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

We knew it was coming, it was inevitable.  We heard it often enough.  It's an old refrain. The other day I read a quote that goes along with that:

It is more difficult by far
To mend a heart that by angry words
has been broken
Then it would be to hold them back,
unspoken.

My, how words can hurt!  I've been on the receiving end of angry words and I'm sure you have, too.  The words echo in our minds.  Whether they are true or not, they hurt and sting.  Relationships become strained because of words.

But what about the speaker of those words?  I know when I've said something mean or hurtful, I don't walk away unscathed.  I hang my head wishing I had held my tongue.  I know people who say, "Well, I'm just going to say how I feel."  But what is left unspoken is, "I'm hurting and I want others to hurt with me."

One of my favorite verses if Ephesians 4:29, here are several translations:

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (KJV)

Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.  (AMP)

Don’t say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. (God's Word translation)

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (The Message)

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. (NIV)

Do not let any bad words come out of your mouth. But say good things that will help people. Then those who hear you will also be blessed by what you say. (Worldwide English)

Are your words a gift, ministering grace, today?