Dear: To Those Who Speak: (all of us)
Two days ago I was filled with fear again. I let it slide right into my mind and I couldn’t shake it for almost 24 hours. I was exhausted from the toll it took. Tears flowed. Sadness hit. Why do I still let it attach itself to me? Why do I let another cause me to fear, their words – haunting words, not spoken to me directly, yet somehow they attached themselves to me.
Fear is such an ugly creature. It is mean and harsh and cruel. It wants to break you down. It wants to do exactly the opposite of what Ephesians 4:29 says.
GOD’S WORD® Translation – Don’t say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.
Stop!!!(”who hear them”???)
I decided to do a little digging for us and I found quite a few other translations. Here is what I found:
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New International Version
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.
New Living Translation
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
English Standard Version
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.
International Standard Version
Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment. This way you will administer grace to those who hear you.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Let not any hateful words come out of your mouth, but whatever is good and useful for improvement that you may give grace to those who hear,
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers.
mouth, but if [there be] any good one for needful edification, that it may give grace to those that hear [it].
Webster’s Bible Translation
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Weymouth New Testament
Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers.
Translations @Parallel Verses from http://biblehub.com/ephesians/4-29.htm
So they (the words) don’t have to be spoken directly to you or I..but to “who hear them.” Think about that. How many times do we say things within ear shot of someone else and it is hurtful, slanderous, cruel, mean spirited?
It’s like the devil can attach himself to not just your mind, but your tongue.
It’s like a serpent, a snake and that tongue flits in and out of the mouth of that reptile. Can you can just imagine that snake saying….’if my tongue touches you ..close behind is the bite??’ Oh my stars he didn’t say a sting..that’s a bumblebee or wasp (those are not pleasant either) but he said …a full on bite with puncture marks left behind!!
So when someone flits the tongue carelessly like a snake, especially within earshot of others ….there is potential for harm. I hate to imagine it but some seem to do it on purpose. How sad is that to inflict intentional snakebites. (words and actions).
We both know that It doesn’t have to be like that right? Why is it not just as easy to be like a butterfly, a beautiful butterfly flitting here and there ….a thing of beauty…landing carefully and gently whenever it lights? I personally would prefer to be a butterfly. Wouldn’t you? So I guess my point to you is this….
So should be our words (like a butterfly) ….carefully landing upon someone’s ear..
By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you something. I’ve been meaning to tell you that I’m sorry for my hurtful words back then (you know when). I’ve wished a thousand times I could rewind and unsay them, but I just simply can’t. I wanted you to know how much you really do mean to me and I hope someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me….I forgave your words a long time ago, I just wish I had told you sooner. Is today too late? I’ll be remembering butterflies from now on..
From: Me (Those that Hear)
for Blogging 101
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