DAY 2 - PEOPLE...CAN'T LIVE WITH THEM AND CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THEM by Tony Manley

Day two, the saga continues!   Sometimes I can be guilty of “word vomit” - that would be when I spill my guts about whatever is in me at the moment.  Yesterday, I spilled quite a bit about the down side of “women’s words.”  Today, I want to brush my teeth with some “peppermint toothpaste” from the Word and blow out the freshness of God and the life-giving impact of a woman with a freshly brushed mouth from the Word! 

    

“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.  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of ALL bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with EVERY form of malice. BE KIND and COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING each other, just as in Christ, God FORGAVE you.” Eph. 4: 29-32

    

There you have it – four verses that can pretty much take care of every aspect of the womanly words and ways.  God is a master of “any,” “all,” “none,” and “every.” He covers all the bases, so I don’t get any “buts” in the backtalk – just a “Yes Sir” followed by fruitful freedom.

    

Let’s look:

            -no unwholesome talk – I always know when I go sour (unwholesome milk is memorable)

            -only helpful – timing and presentation are everything (my husband teaches me that regularly) - helpful may be speaking truth as much as giving/aiding in a matter

            -building – what a great gift to put bricks, stone, and mortar in another’s foundation in their walk or seeking of the Lord

            -benefit the hearer – to know that the listener, even if I don’t know another is listening or watching, is gaining benefit/good from my words and that the Holy Spirit was released freely through my words is fresh breath

            -opposite of grieve would be to “gladden” – I can gladden the Holy Spirit with my talk

            -get rid of… (“the list”) – to me/ for me this is the “crossroads” of the whole mouth thing!  “Out of the heart the mouth speaks.”  Once I get rid of “the list” (v.31) in my heart, my speech issue is changed!  Again, the speech issue is a heart issue.

    

Results of this passage of scripture are wrapped with a bow from verse 32 – kindness, compassion, and forgiveness!  Three things I need on a continual basis, not only to give but to receive.  Now, this is “the rest of the story” and the fruit of good sowing!