Ephesians 4: 30-32
I hope no one like rotten tomatoes or sour grapes! They are aweful and only fit for the compost bin or hog trough. The word "corrupt" in Ephesians 4:29 gives that exact picture of our communication and ties it into our 5th horseman, Evil Speaking. Speaking in a healthy and uplifting way is presented in verse 29 and it should depict the speaking of the Christian heart. Verse 31 refers to evil speaking, or more precisely, "slander." Slander and the defaming of someone's character name is an act of the corrupt communication we are warned against in previous verses. Corrupt communication is a general term but slander.....that's personal! It is fitting that evil speaking rides with clamor, anger, wrath and bitterness because they all spring from the contents and condition of the human heart. Our Christian speaking should be full of grace, seasoned with salt and we need to have a guard set upon our lips like the psalmist writes of in Psalm 141:3- "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips."
Evil speaking should not define us. When others talk about us what do they say of our Christian character and communication habits? Our speaking should not be empty, unhealthy, fruitless or wounding. The indwelling of truth should be affirmed by our speech as seen in James 1:26- "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless."
Note: Evil speaking is slander! Slander takes two. the speaking and another listening. That is gossip of the worst form. We are to speak the truth in love, yes, but evil speaking is not love, even if it is true! When we engage in evil speaking we have moved from what Christ expects and has example for us to what Satan expects and examples.
We should not allow evil speaking to defile us. The source of our speech either comes from the heart of God or the heart of man. The heart of every human is a repository of false accusation, self- preservation and saint-slaying slander. The heart is the library of the mouth. It's contents can corrupt you. The heart is a great deceiver and a practiced pretender. The substance of our speech should be Godly, gracious and growing.
Closing: Evil speaking, slander, gossip has
Destroyed more friendships
Split more churches
Ruined more innocent hearts
Discouraged more young Christians
Corrupted the testimony of Christ
Caused many to reject salvation
than any other one thing in the human experience in my opinion.
The 5th Horseman of Your Apocalypse, evil speaking, brings destruction and division to your life from the inside out.
Selah
Pastor Jim