Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – Ephesians 4:29 – Build Others Up – Growing As Disciples
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. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Your Words
I want my words to be life giving. I want to speak life giving words that will bless and encourage and build others up according to their needs. That would be quite a change. What do you mean by that? I have spoken so many unwholesome words. Lots of corrupt and polluting language has come out of my mouth. Isn’t that old news? What do you mean by that? Haven’t you placed a guard over your mouth? Haven’t you asked me to change your heart and transform your mind so that you can think my thoughts and speak my words? Isn’t it your earnest desire to think and speak and do only what is pleasing in my sight? Yes, that has been my prayer. That is the desire of my heart. Aren’t you meditating on my word day and night? Aren’t you allowing me to use my word to change the thoughts of your mind, the words of your mouth and the deeds of your life? Yes, I am meditating on your word day and night. Yes, I am allowing you to change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. That is very good.
So, what’s the problem? I don’t think or speak or do what is pleasing to you all the time. You mean to say that you still sin? You mean to tell me that you still need my forgiveness? You mean to reveal to me that you are not perfect? I’m guessing that all this comes as no big revelation to you. That’s a good guess. I should also tell you that I don’t always speak life giving words that build others up. Isn’t this a day filled with surprises? Now, I know that you are not taking me seriously. Oh, I am taking you very seriously. I seriously want you to think and speak and do what is pleasing to me. I seriously want you to speak life giving words that will bless and encourage and build others up. I also know that you love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. I know that it is the prayer and desire of your heart to do what is pleasing to me. I know that you seriously want to bless and encourage and build others up with your words. It is the prayer and desire of your heart to do what is pleasing to me. We both know that you will not think and speak and act perfectly in this life. You will sin. You will need my forgiveness. You will confess your sin to me. You are forgiven. You will be forgiven. You will get up and keep on moving forward with me. You will go where I guide you. You will do what I ask of you. You will speak words that I give to you. You will bless and encourage and build others up with your words. Yes, I will. That will be very good and pleasing to me.
Lord, I have said many unwholesome words and used lots of polluting language. Forgive me. I want all of my thoughts and words to come from you. Help me to speak life giving words that will bless and encourage and build people up according to their needs. Amen
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Blessing – Ephesians 4-29 – Building Others Up – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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