Don't let any foul words come out of your mouth. 

Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. 

Ephesians 4:29 CEB

Put off the old words.

I wonder why Paul had to write that to a church? What words did they need to stop?

What would he say to my church, to my community, to me?

What words do we need to put off?

Put on the new words that build up, that have an "others" focus, that benefits, that does good. 

The word for building here is "oikodomé" which literally is about building a home. Paul wants our words to build places that people can live and thrive and flourish in.

Our words can create that. 

Build that. 

Paul uses the word "charis", grace, kindness, this is the way our words benefit others because the heart that they emanate from is expressing grace. 

Problem is my heart isn't always full of grace, I'm not always kind. 

Putting on the new is not about outward behaviour but heart surgery, heart change, and sometimes that happens in big dollops and sometimes in tiny incremental steps. 

Put off the old, put on the new, remembering that it's an invitation to build spaces with grace and kindness, because Jesus has, and is, doing that for us, His Beloved children.

#itsaheartthing

#you are Beloved

#grace

#kindness