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.

Ephesians 4:29

As I write this, Patrina and I are traveling home from a visit with our daughter and grandsons in Phoenix. It was a weekend of soccer, flag football, baseball, and games of Apples to Apples and Uno around the kitchen table. It was spirited and enjoyable but it also underscored the need to speak in the way Paul described in the verse above.

Paul’s description of wholesome words goes beyond the kinds of words we don’t say (although Paul had plenty to say on that as well). Wholesome words are pure, but his description of wholesome talk conveys the idea of speaking words that are helpful, encouraging and uplifting.

Our words have power. Power to destroy. Power to discourage. Power to influence for the good of someone else or power to tear them down.

So, before I speak today will I be intentional about saying words that reflect wholesomeness in word and tone?