Devotion, Nov. 24, speak with grace

Let your speech be always with grace (Colossians 4:6).

Here we have a word from God, which creates a challenge for us! How do I speak to others? The word “grace” suggests that when I speak, I should always reflect love, kindness, understanding, forgiveness, etc.  I should never speak with anger or deception. I should never engage in gossip. I should never fall into the habit of whining about my problems. Who can live up to such a challenge? I can recall many times when ungracious words have come out of my mouth. However, we should never dismiss such a verse by declaring, “I cannot live up to those words.” If we are Christians, we take every word of God seriously. When we fail in being faithful, we don’t dismiss our ill-spoken words by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.” We repent. We go before God and confess that we have sinned against Him. We go to the person to whom we have spoken ungraciously and ask for forgiveness.

That word “always” keeps sticking in my mind. When are we to practice gracious speech? Always. In every situation. Rude words are never acceptable to God. Angry words should lead us to repentance. As Christians, we should pay close attention to our speech and work hard at making our words gracious.

Father in heaven, I must confess that I have often spoken words that lacked grace. I pray for forgiveness, and I ask the Holy Spirit to help me speak only words of kindness and love. I know I will never live up to this verse with perfection, but I ask You to help me to grow in grace, that my words may more and more reflect Your will. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.