Momma always said...

Notes and thoughts from Will Burnham's message to the Living Hope's middle school students on 3-13-11.

I don't know about you, but my mom always used to say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it all." Yesterday morning Will Burnham spoke to the middle school students about communication, and how they should approach things like facebook, texting, talking on the phone and face to face. He presented some passages of Scripture that hit me in the face, and made me really think about the way I talk to others. I'm a fairly sarcastic person, and like to joke around with others. More times than not I usually end up saying something that hurts another person's feelings or makes someone else mad. Do I mean to do this? Sometimes yes, but most of the times I don't. As Will pointed out to the middle school students, these passages of scripture address how we are to be communicating to one another. We should all take a good long look at ourselves and the way we address one another daily, and see if it is similar to how Scripture says we should be communicating with each other. 

Here are the passages. I'll leave you to read them and let the Holy Spirit speak to you.
Bold means positive things, underline means negative things.

Ephesians 4:15
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 5:4
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Romans 16:18
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Matthew 12:36
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.

Proverbs 16:23-24
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.