Let No Rotten Communication Come From My Mouth

During my Bible reading this morning, I was struck deeply by this verse:

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 4:29

Wow, wow, and wow. "No corrupt communication." It doesn't say, "not too much corrupt communication," but rather "NO corrupt communication." 

Have NO Rotten Talk!
Photo from MorgueFile

  

I had a question: what is meant by "corrupt?" In today's world, we usually associate the word, "corrupt" with bribery of political figures or law enforcement officers. But is there another meaning? 

A look at some commentaries reveals that "corrupt" is an archaic word for rotten, and implies something that spread rottenness. Also, it is something that has not been preserved by salt, and therefore, is rotting. 

Rotten communication, then, is that which spreads rottenness to others, rather than grace. Makes them feel unworthy, berates them, or to feel discouraged when they were not before. 

How many times have I spread rottenness to my loved ones, without meaning to, but simply by not ensuring that all of my communication has been salted by the grace of God's love and truth? 

How many times have I spoken my fears and worries out loud, before taking them to the Father God, for his Master's touch? On how many occasions have I blurted out my hurt and anger to a loved one, before quieting my heart and allowing God to heal my wound? 

Too many times, I confess, today, brothers and sisters. So I share this word to your heart, and to mine:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: But be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you. 

Ephesians 4: 31,32