Rotten Words

An unwholesome word must never come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up, meeting their need, so that it would give help to those who are listening.

And you must not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with Whom you became sealed for the Day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:29-30 (The Power NT: Revealing Jewish Roots)

Upon reading this passage of Scripture this morning, I was almost immediately deeply convicted. I actually experienced the Word piercing me and dividing my bone and my marrow as I read. It was a bit difficult to read, to be perfectly honest. My initial reaction was to justify myself, as in the following thoughts:

"Well, I try and speak the truth in love."
"I don't like sugar-coating things!"
"Sometimes, the truth hurts!"
"People are so dense at times, they need to be shaken."

The Greek translation of the word "unwholesome" literally means "rotten." Oh, how often I have spewed rotten words, especially to my husband and children. I want to be very transparent in this respect; I am much harder on those within my own household than I am of those outside.

As I have been reading a book called Experiencing Father's Embrace by Jack Frost, I am realizing that this occurs often when a person carries deep wounds from their own family/parental relationships growing up and continues to perpetuate this cycle within their own homes. This is not a new concept to me. But Frost believes that the core of this issue is the person not being able to truly receive and experience the love of their Father God.

What are "rotten" words? Why must we never speak them? That's a pretty strong statement for Paul to make, isn't it? I mean, who can never speak a harsh word? What happens when we do?

Welll, Paul tells us what happens, and it is of utmost importance. We grieve the Holy Spirit of God. This is why we need to stay away from rotten words. He will tell us when to speak and when to be silent. He will empower us to overcome our flesh. Those who belong to God can hear the voice of Jesus within leading us into Truth. But, when we rebel and refuse to heed that still, small voice, and we choose to simply react, then Holy Spirit becomes grieved inside of us. As a result of that, we will also feel a sense of despair and pain. I know the cycle all to well.

Yet, Hope never fails us! I am so thankful for God's Word that lifts us up, that corrects us, that stirs us, that teaches us. May we pray for the grace to live in the Spirit's power and by His direction. May our words truly be seasoned with salt, spoken in love, spoken without a hint of "rottenness" in us. May we fall to our knees when we feel that we will fall to pieces under the weight of our tongues. May we not grieve our Comforter, our Counselor, the Spirit of all Truth. May we speak with wisdom to our spouses and to our children and to all within the body of Christ, and above all, may we know and experience the unconditional love of our Father in Heaven so that we can pour it forth to everyone.