Memorable Speech

Could your friends and family recite a quote of something you say too often? As someone who talks to a lot of people more often than most, I’m sure I share lines ripe for quotes or impressions. I know my daughters sure have fun repeating the “dad always says…” lines. Can you think of a saying, quote, or even a story from your own friends and family?

Ephesians 5 teaches something important about our speech. The churches of the first century convey the example for the churches of the twenty-first century. Followers of Christ use their mouths for rejoicing by sharing edifying, encouraging, and exacting truth. Edifying: how we speak ideally leads others to come to greater growth in practical applications. Encouraging: how we speak ideally leads others to zeal, motivation, comfort and proof of our genuine affections. Exacting: how we speak ideally leads others to a more precise understanding of the only means for satisfaction and joy in this life and the next.

I repeated the word ideally because we do not govern our mouths in the way described in Ephesians 5. Paul first addresses the issue with the Ephesians, and we sit right next to them. Foolish, time-wasting, corrupt, worldly, and overall negative kinds of things come out of us. Our heart must be reminded to rejoice. Twice Paul repeats—use your mouth to rejoice by giving thanks regularly (Eph. 5:4) and rejoice among your brothers and sisters even in the affections brought out through worship (Eph. 5:19–21).

The Holy Spirit knows what He is doing when Paul then describes the covenant of marriage. Husbands care for their wives like Christ… Christ sanctifies His bride, the Church, through washing her in His Word—cherishing and nourishing by such means.

Will those around us remember our speech as nourishing, as thanksgiving, as a sanctifying work for their sake—speech that leads others to the warm joy of an ever-present Savior? Let us live for the ideal portrayed in Ephesians 5. How can you change your speech today? How can you use your day for rejoicing?

Pastor Chris