Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I love the advice of Ephesians 4:29.
Now that I’ve got your curiosity, let me read Ephesians 4:29 for you. It says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” I think you can see why that verse is such a favorite… I mean, there’s so much in it… it’s so powerful and practical… it’s something you can really grab hold of from God’s Word and do…and do everyday. Think of all the times you get into conversations. Think of all the opportunities you’re asked for your opinion or when your words reflect your true attitude. And the Bible tells us that our words should not be unwholesome; that is, uncaring or unhelpful… they should be good words that build up other people with encouragement and a Christ-like perspective. Because think of it, friend…
Before this day is done, an occasion will arise in your life that Ephesians 4:29 describes as “the need of the moment.” It will probably happen this way: when you woke up this morning, you didn’t realize it, but God already had someone in mind he wanted to reach today. He has grace available for this person. At the same time, God’s got his eye on you to serve as his conduit of grace and encouragement. So… what does he do next? He crosses your paths with that person. He puts the two of you together maybe in a grocery checkout line, or on a golf course, at choir rehearsal, or in chemistry class. He has you bump into this person in the parking lot or at the ATM booth or at the bank.
You are there at the bank or in class or in the checkout line and you spot this person, all the while feeling the nudge of the Holy Spirit to say something – could be a neighbor, a friend you haven’t seen in ages, a bank teller or checkout clerk you sort of half know.And in that moment when your paths cross, you also have God who desires to extend to that person his divine help. You can choose to sidestep the moment and, thus, miss the opportunity, or you can give “such a word as is good for edification… that it may [and here’s the best part] give grace to those who hear.” Friend, you could be one more stepping stone in the many it’s going take to bring that person to Christ. And you have a chance to extend the magnificent grace of God through what you say and do. You are a pipeline, an aqueduct, a channel, a conduit through which the Lord Jesus keeps meeting needs of the moment in the lives of others. Ephesians 4:29 says so. Your encouragement becomes divine-sent grace that strengthens, enables, and empowers them. This is the ministry God will call you to today. It’s something he expects of every Christian.
Sometime, before you lay your head on the pillow tonight, someone will be positioned to directly benefit from your words and actions. When the opportunity arises, don’t forget to speak that word of grace. And if you need a little help along the way, I’ve got a special little booklet entitled simply “Guidance” that I’d love to send you. Just give us a call at 888-522-5664 or you can always reach us at joniandfriendsradio.org. Again, ask for the booklet “Guidance.” Finally, I encourage you to ask Jesus to put you on alert today. Make yourself available to be used as a conduit of his love and grace to someone whose path you’ll cross because there’s a need for the moment and a word of grace to give.
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