Speak Biblically

Ephesians 4:29 (King James Version)

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.

Believers must be careful about what they say. As part of Christ’s body, filled with His righteousness and holiness, we must not use foul or abusive language. Such speech is worthless, spreads worthlessness, and leads hearers to think about worthless matters.

Not only should our speech be kept clean and truthful, but we should also speak words that are good and helpful, words of encouragement. We must be sensitive to the situation and the needs of anyone with whom we converse, and we must be wise in choosing our words, for even good words, unless used appropriately, can be destructive instead of useful. God can work through our words to help others and bring his grace to them.

Proper Confession of Sin

1 John 1:9 (King James Version)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are to speak biblically. A part of that is confessing sins to the Lord and to those whom you have failed to love in a biblical manner (Psalm 51:1-4).

To confess our sins means to agree with God that an act or thought was wrong (not lining up with the Word of God) and to admit this to God, to seek forgiveness, and to make a commitment to not let it happen again. Confession of sins is necessary for maintaining continual fellowship with God.

Confession is supposed to free people to enjoy fellowship with God. But some Christians do not understand how it works. They feel so guilty that they confess the same sins over and over; then they wonder if they might have forgotten something. Other Christians believe that God forgives them when they confess, but if they died with unconfessed sins, they would be forever lost. Those ideas are simply not true. These Christians do not understand that God wants to forgive people.

He allowed His beloved Son to die just so He could offer them pardon. When people come to Christ, He forgives all the sins they have committed or will ever commit. They don’t need to confess the sins of the past all over again, and they don’t need to fear that God will reject them if they don’t keep perfectly uncontaminated by sin. Of course, believers should continue to confess their sins, but not because failure to do so will make them lose their salvation. Believers’ relationship with Christ is secure. Instead, they should confess so that they can enjoy the fullest fellowship and pleasure with him.

God is Faithful

God is faithful means He is dependable and keeps His promises. God promises forgiveness, even in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:19-20). The fact that God is just, means that He can not overlook people’s sin. He can not decide to let people get away with sin or to make the penalty less severe. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This can not change because God does not change.

But instead of making people pay for their sins, God took the punishment upon Himself through His Son. In this way, justice was done, and the way was paved for God to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. Those who confess their sins to God can trust in his forgiveness because they can trust in his character.

Philippians 3:13-14 (King James Version)

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Change what You’re Saying

Don’t talk about your past accomplishments, sorrows or defeats, hurts and pains but talk about the goodness of God in your life. Do not slander gossip or use words that do not edify. Instead speak things that encourage and build others up. That’s speaking and confessing biblically!