Ephesians 4:29-32

Ephesians 4:29-32 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. And 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.

Ephesians 4:29-32 (Amplified Bible) Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

The Amplified version of Ephesians 4:29-32 provides a deeper understanding of today's text. Sometimes we excuse our bad attitudes and behaviors if scripture does not directly delineate them. The amplified version better elucidates the evil that God rejects. All of these adverse traits destroy and divide believers. If we tolerate the harmful spirits that promote such conduct, we directly damage the work of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, sinful behavior spreads and multiplies until it permeates our lives and corrodes our actions and reactions. Negative acts validate the old idiom that "a rotten apple spoils the barrel." One person acting inappropriately can spoil a whole environment. In a church setting, the detrimental attitudes and hurtful behaviors of one excessively negative family can influence others to yield to temptation. Rather than helping others and uniting the body, harsh and judgmental people hurt each other and divide families and churches. Paul says, 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. To promote a positive and nurturing environment within a family or a group, we should avoid negativity like a plague.

Paul told the church: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Jesus said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37) The Bible indicates God will judge us in the same manner we judge others. When we excessively criticize others or when we explode in anger over their words or actions, we need to appreciate that God can judge us just as harshly as we judge others. As mere humans, we all need God's compassion and mercy. Therefore, Paul recommends kindness, consideration, compassion, and forgiveness. We should love others as we want to be loved and speak to others as we want to be spoken to. Treating others as you want to be treated defuses problems and creates spiritually healthy environments. Christ-like behavior calms conflagrations, lessens bitterness, alleviates hurtful communication, minimizes disappointments, allays fears, promotes understanding, and much more. Love and tolerance truly conquer hatred and wrath. When we begin to speak kindly and lovingly, wholesome communication opens our ears and our hearts to God's plans. Finally, forgiving others allows us to accept God's forgiveness for the many transgressions we have committed against him. Forgiving as God has forgiven brings peace and victory to our own hearts and minds.

A loving and forgiving demeanor requires a servant's heart. A servant is under the authority of the master. We are under the headship of OUR LORD, Jesus Christ who gave his life for those who hated him. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) The Jewish elite did not realize they were nailing the Son of God on a cross. They struck back in anger at a man who threatened their authority to govern. Full of the spirit of Christ, Christians should be servants to ALL, even to those who hate and abuse us. We must forgive and love those who strike out against us. Jesus asks us to love our enemies, those who dispute with us or greatly disappoint us. For frail humans to love as Christ loves, we must be in a triangle of love, loving others because we love Christ, for He alone loves unreservedly and without fail. Jesus will never disappoint us or forsake us: his fidelity lasts forever. Therefore, we obediently love others because He first loved us and we love him. If you fear that you cannot love as He loved, just look again to Jesus, remembering his great sacrifice at the cross. He encompasses the love that we need in every situation. He reminds us, "If you love the least of these, you love me." Servants of the Most High, love is now. Rid yourselves of all malice and anger towards anyone, and you will walk in peace and joy as you spread abroad the love of God.