Christian Living
Unwholesome talks……
Have you had instances where you end a conversation with someone and you feel totally empty and drained?
Happens!
Sometimes this happens with difficult conversations, other times they occur following ramblings that are about nothing. What can be even more troubling is if such conversations occurred between brethren who walk away without feeling edified.
Sometimes we meet people who have nothing to talk about except other people’s struggles, wrongdoings or mistakes.
The Bible warns against unwholesome talks….
“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 NIV
What are unwholesome talks?
…….when we talk about people behind their backs, when we talk people down, when we degrade others with our words, when we bluntly dismiss other people’s feelings, when we engage in a conversation where we seek to build ourselves up or make ourselves look good by making others look bad- this is unwholesome talk.
Who benefits from unwholesome talks?
Nobody.
There are a few things we can say about unwholesome talks from Ephesians 4:29-32…
Unwholesome talks do not build people up. They are not edifying. They do not benefit anyone. Unwholesome talks grieves the Holy Spirit, they do not reflect kindness or a compassionate heart, rather such slanders many times indicate concealed bitterness, anger and unforgiveness.
Consider this- any talk you’d find difficult to talk in the presence of the person being talked about (except it’s a good surprise), ?, may not be wholesome.
How can we hold wholesome talks?
Forgive. Don’t judge. Don’t always assume.
I think that when we truly and sincerely forgive people who hurt us, when we don’t make a habit of analysing people’s lives for bad, when we avoid making assumptions about how or what other people may be thinking or saying about us, when we walk in love, we’ll be on our way to holding wholesome talks.
