Today’s Bible app verse of the day is Ephesians 4:29,  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Friends, this verse hit me differently this morning. I’ve read it before, maybe even memorized it at some point, but today it convicted me deeply. I realized that even just yesterday, my words didn’t measure up to this standard. I shared a story with a family member, but in a way that wasn’t helpful, wasn’t needed, and honestly, didn’t benefit the person listening.

Ephesians 4:29 isn’t just a guideline about avoiding crude language. It’s a heart check about the purpose of every word we speak. God is calling us to be intentional with our speech, not just to avoid harm, but to actively seek out how our words can help someone else. That means considering the need of the person we’re talking to. Are they discouraged? Then, our words should offer hope. Are they weary? Then, our words should offer strength. Are they feeling unseen? Then, our words should offer love and acknowledgment.

Yesterday, I missed the mark. I shared something that I needed to get off my chest, so maybe it was more about myself. It wasn’t meant to tear anyone down, but it also didn’t lift anyone up. It wasn’t helpful. It wasn’t needed. It didn’t benefit anyone. That’s the standard of this verse: not just avoiding harm, but that the words we speak provide some good and are not just empty banter.

My prayer today is that we remember to seek Jesus’ help to better choose words that are shaped by love, measured by grace, and filtered through the Spirit. May we become more aware of what others need to hear, not just what we want to say. I humbly pray this for myself, too.

What kind of words have been coming out of your mouth lately? Can you think of a conversation where your words could have been more helpful?How can you begin today to speak words that build others up?