The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 4:29-32, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

“Where in the world did that come from?” I can barely recall hearing those words. They came from a mother, who heard her small son use an exclamation never heard from her or her family. No, it was not my mother; nor was it from me. I told you yesterday that I never used any kind of “gutter” language. Had I ever done so, you would not be receiving this Grands Letter just now. If I could but recall the occasion of that exuberant, effusive language – but I cannot.

We all do say things, however –expressions that are totally out of place for any occasion. Paul says, “Stop it! The only words you should ever use are those that edify or build up the other person; and even then, only words that the moment requires. Use kind words that give grace and benefit to both you and the hearer.”

From the moment we repented of our sin and trusted the LORD Jesus Christ as our Savior, we received the Holy Spirit, who now lives within us. He is both the “seal” of God and God’s “downpayment” against His full and complete Redemption. The Spirit is there to guide our thoughts and words as well as our actions. When we fail to obey His instructions, it grieves (?????) and distresses Him, much like an earnest and loving parent is distressed when his child doesn’t obey.

We must obey and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in expelling from our lives all “bitterness (??????) and wrath (?????) and anger (????) and clamor (??????) and slander (?????????), along with all malice (?????)” –five important words we need to study and expel forever from our lives!

Further, we must learn and incorporate into our minds and hearts three vital words on the positive side of the ledger: kind (???????), tender-hearted (???????????), and forgiving (?????????). And why must we incorporate these words, including forgiveness? It is because Christ has forgiven us for our sin against Him, sin that is far and away greater than any sin anyone has committed against us.

You can do this! The indwelling Holy Spirit will help you do it! And God the Father will be glorified!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”