This is a morning for Spanish devotions and blogging. But I also must comment a bit in English this time because verse 29 grabbed my thoughts.

“No corrupt word should come out of your mouth, but that which is good for the necessary edification, to the end of giving grace to the hearers” (that’s my translation of the Reina-Valera 1960 Bible).

No corrupt word. Not a single one. None. That excludes lies, gossip, and railing. It also eliminates swearing and cussing — strong or mild or camo. It kills all manner of gutter talk and suggestive speech.

When I see an eyelash in my food, I don’t leave it there. Even if it’s so little. Even if it’s surrounded by a lot of good food. Because in my food, it’s an impurity. Similarly, if a word fails the test, I should pull it out of my speech. No matter how little it is or how little I use it.

If it doesn’t build up the hearer (and that includes the speaker, right?!), out!

If it works against God’s grace in the hearer, out!

Christian, that verse is directed at you!

Mark, it’s for you!

from Ephesians 4:29

A little bit more from Ephesians 4: Who Have You Learned?

Last week an Oregon State Trooper survived being shot from behind. He was wearing body armor.

That’s the only way I can survive against an enemy who is even more “unfair” than the above criminal who shot the trooper during a traffic stop.

If I wear all the armor God provides, I will survive and win.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

And how do I put on such armor as is given in verses 13-17?

For instance, the breastplate of righteousness?

Each time I choose to do right and think right, I am putting on and keeping on that breastplate.

Each time I choose to do and think wrong, I am exposing myself — unprotected — to the arrows, bullets, and swords of the evil ones.