MIDWEEK MEDITATION

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 

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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 
                                                                        Ephesians 4:25-32

You have something to give to those around you. 

The thief needs more to do than to simply stop stealing. The call on each of us is so much higher than a list of don’ts. We are called to give back and bring life to those around us. We must “put away” those things that tear others down (misdirected anger, slander, malice, etc.) and “put on” those things which build others up. 

Make sure your communication gives grace to those who hear it. 

Just as the thief should do honest work so that he can contribute to those around them, your words are not only for your benefit. God intended you to use them to speak truth in grace to all you meet. 

May you bring life to those around you this week.