Manna for Your Morning

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. … let us not criticize one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block or a source of temptation in another believer’s way. — Romans 14:12-13 (AMP) ...for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 AMP) So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. (Romans 14:19 AMP) So encourage each other and build each other up... (See 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT) Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. (Ephesians 4:29 AMP) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just...

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, so that it will give grace to those who hear. — Ephesians 4:29 (NASB) Ephesians 4:29 (AMP) clarifies unwholesome as foul, profane, worthless, and vulgar. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) says: Don’t use foul or abusive language. Think of your words as containers. They hold the power of death or life (Proverbs 18:21). What are your containers full of? Are the words you speak full of death or life? Are they negative or positive? Do they hold the poisonous venom of jealousy and bitterness or the life-giving words of love and wisdom? Do the words that come out of your mouth promote fear or faith, division or unity? Are they hurtful or healing? Are your words angry and explosive or peace-inducing? Do they deflate others or lift them up? In order to be gracious in our speech, we need to put the Word of God in our containers by meditating on the Word day and night (Jo...