by Dr. Paul Chappell

“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.”

Ephesians 4:29

Our words are so easy to form that we sometimes forget how powerful their affect is.

Rickey Henderson is believed to be baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner. Henderson holds the MLB record for the most career stolen bases, runs scored, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs. Not only that, but he’s been ranked as the sport’s top 100 all-time home run hitters. He’s also been selected as an American League All-Star ten times, and in 2009, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

When Henderson broke Lou Brock’s record of career stolen bases on May 1, 1991, Lou Brock was on hand to congratulate Henderson. When asked if he had any reservations or sadness about no longer holding the record, Brock replied, "Rickey did in 12 years what took me 19. He's amazing."

Apparently, all throughout his career, Brock has been an inspiration and constant source of support for Rickey. From the first time they met in 1981, Brock knew Henderson was his heir. He even asked Rickey, “How are we going to break [my record of career steals]?” In fact, Brock even helped him write the speech he gave after his record-breaking 939th steal. Afterward, Brock commented that Rickey’s words were “from his heart”.

Lou Brock was an encouragement to Henderson over the course of his career. Even after tough games, Brock would encourage Henderson to keep going, keep trying, and play harder. Rickey knew that even if all the fans of baseball turned on him, Lou would be there to encourage him.

Sometimes all people need in life is a friend who’ll encourage them. We all hear when people mess up. The news is plastered with mistakes people have made, but who notices when someone does right? Who encourages someone to keep on despite failure?

Ephesians 4:29 gives us all a good model for how to speak: “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.”

Our words are so easy to form that we sometimes forget how powerful their affect is. God warns us that our words should be used to edify, uplift, and encourage others; rather than used for corrupt communication.

Are you the kind of person that keeps people guessing about how you feel toward them? Don’t make people wonder where they stand. Make sure they know you as an encourager, someone they can look to for advice and encouragement.

Take a few minutes to think of how you treat people. How do you use your words around others? When considering how to speak to others, remember this quote a pastor once told his congregation: “Raw truth is seldom appropriate and is often destructive. We have been saved in grace and we are kept in grace; therefore we are to live and speak in grace. Just as grace supremely characterizes God it should also characterize His children.” Determine to speak in grace today, and be an encourager to everyone you encounter!

Daily Bible Reading
Ps. 23–25 Acts 21:18–40