7 Ways To Love One Anotherنموونە

Day 6: Love One Another With Godly Speech

Beth lives in South Carolina, the land of sweet tea and sweet talk. Many women in the region call everyone “honey” and “sugar,” and most of the time they’re being genuinely nice. Few Southerners would mistake one kind sounding phrase for a compliment: “Bless your heart.” 

Although the words “bless your heart” aren’t hurtful on their own, the phrase can mean anything from, “I feel sorry for you” to “You’re a complete fool.” The attitude behind the words matters.

As we strive to love one another with greater intentionality, a good place to start is with our communication, verbal or written. Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus to watch their speech: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Eph. 4:29, NLT).  

There’s a dual focus in this verse on both the speaker and the hearer. Even words that sound sweet on the surface can be foul and harmful at their core, causing wounds and division in those who hear them.

As followers of Jesus, we need to be mindful of our words, not just the specific words we speak but also the impact our words have on others. Our word choice, tone of voice and timing should be helpful, encouraging and beneficial. If it isn’t, then we need to rethink our words including what, how, where, when and to whom we speak.

How can you make sure your words remain good, helpful and encouraging? Before you communicate, check your pride: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3, NLT). Thinking yourself as better than someone else leads to superior and dismissive attitudes that will come across in what you say, regardless of the words used. 

But if you’re humble, your words will uplift those around you, and you will truly bless their hearts.

Questions for Reflection: 

• When have you communicated something that sounded nice on the surface but was rooted in an attitude of pride? What was the result? 
• What’s the most encouraging thing someone has said to you recently? 
• How can you be more intentional today about loving others with Godly speech?