Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up ...

Ephesians 4:29

I visited many people in Care Centers for over 40 years. Not infrequently, I heard “corrupting talk” aimed at other residents, the skilled staff, the cooks, even the cleaning people.

One doesn’t have to live in such a facility to hear, or utter, “corrupting talk.” Wherever we are, we have many opportunities to speak words of love and forgiveness that build up another. Martin Luther encouraged us to “put the best construction on everything,” rather than speak ill of others.

Speak up. Build up. Jesus spoke his love for us in actions. Suffering, dying, rising from the grave. He did all of this for us. His loving Spirit dwells in us. Speak up with words that Jesus would use. Build up just as Jesus would do.

Don Schatz
Lynnwood, WA

Jesus, help me speak up to build up others in love. Amen.

Reflect: Today, find ways to speak up and build up.

Read: Romans 14:9-18 and Colossians 3:12-17