Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 5:1-6
“Neither filthiness nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking that are not fitting but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesian 5:4)
Spoken or written words can leave a great impact and create a lasting memory either good or bad. Words can make or mar a relationship. Once it is said, it can only be forgiven not forgotten. Words have more power than atom bombs. One can say something in ten seconds but ten years later the wounds are still there. Someone once said, words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can decide to use them constructively or destructively. Ephesians chapter 5 started with a powerful statement which is: be imitators of God as dear children. There is need for us to mimic, take after, behave like and resemble God. And to do this, starting from verse two, the writer stated dos and don’ts. The focus of this devotion is verse four which is our memory verse.
Four things were highlighted in that verse, they are:
Filthiness
Foolish talking
Coarse joking
Giving of thanks.
The first three are don’ts while the last one is one of the dos if truly we want to take after our father who is the Almighty God.
Filthiness: This refers to coarse or obscene speech and conduct, offensive word, a profanity or dirty word. Foolish Talking: This means silly, frivolous or senseless talk. Those who have their mouths running without engaging their minds usually bring all sorts of grief upon themselves by speaking those things which they ought not. Coarse Joking: This include dirty jokes and sacrilegious speech that is contrary to the spiritual life expected of a child of God.
The three words (Filthiness, Foolish Talking and Coarse Joking) are words that must not be heard from anyone called a child of God. Stop exaggerating, give up on unholy appreciation of someone’s wife or daughter in the Lord, do away with worldly slangs they add no value to your Christian life, run away from association of people who speak negatively or abusively, isolate yourself from people who curse or abuse servants of God and disdain God’s miracles. Rather the scripture says give thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18). Let your word be seasoned with salt and grace, such that edifies (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6). Giving of thanks edifies. Stop complaining every time as if you are the only one facing challenges of life. Don’t forget that your word is your life, use it judiciously.
God bless you.
JAMES ALADE
Prayer:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Father, have mercy on me for any negatives words that have come out of my mouth
Whatever battle I’m going through based on my utterances, I reverse them by the blood of Jesus
Every door that I have opened to the devil due to negative words be shut by fire in Jesus name.
O Lord, keep all Christian homes, and awake the parents for spiritual slumber to there responsibilities to You, in Jesus name.
O Lord unite the body of Christ for Your name sake, and empower them to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Truth, in Jesus name.
Father, visit all nations of the world in their pains and sorrow, especially our nation, Nigeria, have mercy on all and align them into your plan for this season, in Jesus name.
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