Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
When children are young, many parents do not like them to hear words that are not appropriate for them to hear. Young children have a tendacy to copy and imitate others around them and this is why young ears need to be shielded from this kind of speach. The child’s parents do this so that their children do not begin to say those things, and become “corrupted.”
When something is “corrupt” it is “in a depraved state; debased; perverted; morally degenerate; weak in morals; and unsound.” And “communication” is the conversation between two or more parties.
And that is what we are going to look at today. What is corrupt communication?
Corrupt communication is the misuse of your tongue as you speak.
Blasphemy is an example of corrupt communication. It is speaking irreverantly towards or about Jesus and His teachings. In one passage of scripture, Jesus had just cast out a devil out of a man, and the Pharisees attributed this work to the devil. This is just a mind blowing statement to even think about, but that is truly a blasphemous statement, and should never have been said.
“Railing” is another form of corrupt communication. and it means to “insult or defame someone with shameful, disgraceful, abusive language.”
Peter wrote about this subject in 1 Peter 3.
1 Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
We are not to avenge ourselves, as we have been taught in the scriptures, and this includes our use of speech. If someone rails against us with foul and abusive language, we are not to stoop down to that level and return it back again. We are to “bless, and curse not.” God will recompense those who do evil to us.
Another example in 3 John, John wrote about someone who was speaking evil, malicious things about John and others in the church.
3 John 1:9-10 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”
In his book to Titus, Paul instructed him to exhort the young men to have sound speech.
Titus 2:6-8 “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
Corrupt communication does not help others, it does not build them up or edify them. It does not help someone to better themselves or improve their life. They are vain words, that would be better left unsaid.
The tongue can be a dangerous, sinful thing, if used improperly. It can be filled with hateful words, or it can be filled with love. James 3 illustrates how the tongue is an unruly evil, untameable by man. Only through the help of the Holy Spirit can it be tamed.
We need to keep our speech pure and holy. Speech is a gift; use it properly.
In Christ
Andrew
(Andrew is no longer a part of this ministry, as he purposely lied, deceived me, and then betrayed me, examples of the most impure speech of all. These actions were done willfully and with intent. Although many of these writings are helpful, he completely abandoned this calling, and joined up with the world instead. Nothing can dictate Our lives more than a love for Christ Jesus and being chosen to His service, but he chose to love the world instead.)
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 