Ephesians 4:29:
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.
“Minister grace unto the hearers”—is that not a wonderful goal to pursue? God certainly thinks so, for He put it in His Word.
There is power behind the words we speak. The power of God’s spoken Word can positively impact others and be life changing. God desires that as born-again believers we reach out to others with words that are good and edifying, words that minister grace to the listener. Let’s consider two steps we can take to more effectually speak words that minister grace to others so we can positively affect their lives. We can build a reservoir of words from God’s Word, and we can hold fast to that Word by living it.
First, we can build a reservoir of words that minister grace to others by faithfully reading and studying God’s Word. By spending time in God’s Word on a daily basis, we can build our understanding of God’s Word.
Ephesians 3:4:
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.
II Timothy 2:15:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We build that Word into our hearts so that it is our resource for words to speak.
When young children are learning to communicate, they build a vocabulary by repeated exposure to different words. As they learn, their enthusiasm overflows and they want to share their new words with others. We enjoy this process as we expand our understanding and application of God’s Word. As we consistently spend time in the Word, we build a godly vocabulary of words we can share with others—words that minister God’s grace.
A second step we can take to be ready to speak words that minister grace to others is to hold fast to the Word—to make it our own by living it so that it becomes a part of our hearts.
Titus 1:9:
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
We bring the Word to our minds in day-by-day life and walk out on it. When we allow the Word of God to dwell in our hearts and we live that Word in our actions, we are well equipped to speak words that minister grace to others.
Aquila and Priscilla were well equipped to reach out with words that ministered grace when they met Apollos. This wonderful believing couple had spent time with the Apostle Paul and had built the depth of God’s Word in their hearts and lives. They had a reservoir of gracious words to speak and a willingness to speak the Word they’d held fast to. Out of the abundance of their hearts, they spoke words to Apollos that greatly impacted this man’s life.
Acts 18:26,27:
And he [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace.
When Aquila and Priscilla realized that the orator Apollos had not been taught the fullness of the new birth and the power of the holy spirit, they lovingly and privately taught him further than he had previously been instructed. They ministered grace to him. As a result, Apollos increased in his operation of the power of God, and he became a greater spokesman for God.
We can have an impact like Aquila and Priscilla did and positively affect others’ lives. By faithfully reading and studying God’s Word and then holding it fast by living it, we can be ready to reach out to others with edifying and impacting words that minister God’s grace. What a wonderful goal to pursue!