[Say] only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs …
Ephesians 4:29

Thought Of The Day...
While I was growing up, one of the things we were taught was to always tell the truth. Of course!
But one important ingredient in telling the truth was sometimes left out. We were not always told that we should speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). As a result I’ve sometimes told the truth without any regard for how it might hurt the other person.
According to the apostle Paul, we are to say only “what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” Before we speak, we need to ask ourselves: “Should I say what I am about to say? And is it the right time to say it? Will I be speaking the truth in love, and will it build the other person up?”
A husband coming home from a stressful day at work does not need to be told just then that he forgot to do some chores around the house. A wife who has had a busy day taking care of the children does not need to hear that the house is a mess. A child coming home from school does not need to hear the parents’ criticism the moment he or she walks into the house.
If we learn to speak the truth in love and say only what builds others up, our relationships at home, at school, on the job, and everywhere else will go better. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you use the gift of speech to build up others.

Prayer...
Heavenly Father, we come before you today with grateful hearts for the gift of language. Your holy word reminds us in Ephesians 4:29, to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. We ask for your guidance and wisdom in our speech, that our words may be truthful and spoken with love.

Father, in a world that is filled with negativity and hate, may our words stand out as a beacon of hope and love. Help us to use our words to build up and encourage one another, instead of tearing each other down. May our words be a source of grace to those who hear them.

Teach us, Lord, to speak with kindness and compassion, and to have patience with those who may speak differently or hold different beliefs. May our words always reflect your unconditional love and grace.

We also pray for protection from the temptation to use our words to spread gossip, falsehoods, and malice. Help us to remember that our words have the power to either uplift or destroy, and to use them wisely.

Thank you, Father, for hearing our prayers. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.