Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths

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.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Paul urges Christians to speak only words that edify those around us. Our words are to be a gift to those listening.

Unwholesome talk is not just profanity or inappropriate stories. Here it probably has the wider sense of any form of conversation that is frivolous, empty or idle.

Our speech is bigger than jokes and vacant conversations. The conversations we have at work, with our spouses, our children, and our friends are all for a greater purpose; to listen and lift up those we speak to; becoming more like our Savior.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 - Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious

Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Our words reveal our character (Matthew 12:34) and we should choose our words wisely.

The fool makes false assumptions and therefore even more errant conclusions. He babbles on and on without thinking. (Ecclesiastes 10:14)

Let's be gracious with our words today, praying and reflecting before sharing and speaking.

As our grandparents said, "we have two ears and one mouth for a reason."