What makes a tool helpful?

How would you describe a person who is helpful? 

What does it mean to build others up?

What do you picture when I say “unwholesome?”

Ephesians 4:29

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. 

Have you ever said something out loud that you didn’t mean to? 

If I asked you to list things you love and things you hate, which list would be longer?

Is there anything that you spend a lot of time thinking about?

Luke 6:45 New International Version (NIV)

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

 I was recently in a big meeting with a lot of people in varying age groups. We were talking about where and when certain language is/isn’t appropriate. One of my colleagues said, “The language you use isn’t for you.”

Think about that for a minute. The words that come out of your mouth are not for you – spoken language is for whoever is hearing it. When you are speaking to someone or around people, are you choosing words that are helpful, beneficial or building others up? 

If the words you use are a reflection of what is in your heart, what will we learn about your heart from your words?