Maybe It Is Time You Empty the Refrigerator!
Eph 4:29-32
29 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.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Have you ever opened your refrigerator only to discover that something in there has spoiled? You may not be able to identify the source of the odor (at least at first), but it’s all too apparent that some sort of food item has went bad. And whatever it is, it’s been in there far too long and now it’s soured.
So what do you do? Leave the moldy item in the refrigerator? There is only one option — clean it out thoroughly. Find the source of the smell, then throw it out, and finally wipe the interior clean.
If we are not careful, we will let things into our spirits that become like the spoiled food in the refrigerator. Something that started out so small and insignificant but when allowed to remain festered into something much bigger and much worse. A rude remark becomes a malicious word, an irritating comment turns into bitterness and backbiting, an aggravation becomes anger or criticism turns into evil speaking.
The standard for our conversation is expressed very clearly in our scripture reading for today. Do not let corrupt communication leave your mouth. Only speak that which is good and builds up grace in those who are listening to what you say.
The old colloquial saying is, “If’n ya ain’t got nuthin’ good to say, dawn’t say nuthin’ et all!”
Everything that we say should pass the “THINK” test before we say it;
T – Is it true
H – Is it helpful
I – is it inspirational
N – is it necessary
K – is it kind
Do you have a problem with bitterness or anger? Do you put off an offensive odor in the atmosphere when you are around? Then maybe it’s time you find the source of the offending odor and apply some spirtual disinfectant to it! Maybe it’s time you get rid of bad conversation that hurts other people! Maybe it’s time to dump your anger and bad feelings in the garbage!
Maybe it’s time you empty the refrigerator so that when people look into your life they are encouraged and sustained. Let what proceeds from you be an acceptable gift. Then people will enjoy being around you because of the soothing aroma of pleasantness that comes from you.
Philippians 4:18 GW You have paid me in full, and I have more than enough. Now that Epaphroditus has brought me your gifts, you have filled my needs. Your gifts are a soothing aroma, a sacrifice that God accepts and with which he is pleased.
