(laleo)
Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”
This one is slightly different depending on the translation you use. King James version translates it as “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” The English Standard version uses the term “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” The New Living translation makes it sound like when we speak to one another we should be making music in our hearts to the Lord.
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit interjects this instruction following some quick one liners. In the preceding verse 19, he had written “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit”. I see it as a kind of a play on words – “don’t get sauced get soaked!”
When we are filled, or soaked in the Spirit, are our tongues loosened to speak? Does being filled with the Spirit result in greater freedom to speak with one another? I’ll leave that to you.
I wish I could take more time to go into the richness of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs at this point.
Instead, let’s just focus on talking to one another. I have seen a growing trend among believers. It’s as though we think it is no longer necessary to use words to communicate care and authenticity. I would like to see a shift toward Christians becoming masterful word smiths. I believe we need to learn from “The Word who became flesh, and dwelt among us” about the power of the spoken word.
We must learn to use words. Too often our actions are misinterpreted. If we only guess about another person’s feelings without actually asking them to explain in their own words, well that’s a mess. Communication is critical and vital in our relationships. And the words we use should be encouraging and uplifting to one another. It is too easy to use words that tear down, the challenge is to speak in a way that builds up. Have you had someone give you a timely word, a scripture verse or even a song that just fit perfectly with your situation? It is amazing and we should be doing more of it when we see each other at church and throughout the week.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Father, help me to use words in ways that help instead of hurt. I want to be like You in showing care by speaking out loud, and allowing others to speak to me as well. As I go about my week and come across a bit of wisdom, a good word or song, help me to pass those words on to just the right person. I want to be known as someone who speaks life!