Do You Know Mom's Version of Ephesians 4:29?

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Did your mom ever say this when you were growing up?

It’s sound, biblical advice. It's the mom's versions of 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.”  

When we're saying negative things, we're revealing our hearts:

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks...The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:34-35 

And the best way to change what's in our hearts is to ask God's help and practice His instructions in Philippians 4:8-9:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you.”

Mom’s advice keeps us from saying things we’ll later regret, and Philippians 4:8 keeps us from wanting to say things we’ll later regret.

May our thoughts today be excellent and praiseworthy and our speech be gentle and kind.

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I also suggest you check out these 1-minute devotions: You Won't Have to Eat Your Words If You Listen to Jesus and 3 Times to Bite Your Lip.