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Withdrawn

I'm reading a novel about a murder trial. The lawyers frequently make outrageous speculations or badger the witnesses. The opposing counsel will shout "Objection!" often the judge will rule "sustained". The lawyer will then say "withdrawn". But the damage has already been done. You can't put the words back in your mouth or hit the rewind button and erase what a jury has heard. On television you will sometimes hear a judge say "the jury will disregard the remarks...." How do you disregard something that has already made an impression on you?

Ephesians 4:29 says that we are to let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouths. What does something corrupt do? It usually corrupts what's around it. But the admonition in the same verse is to instead concentrate on "that which is good to the use of edifying". What does something edifying do? It builds up like an edifice higher and higher. The result is at the end of this verse that we may "minister grace to the hearers".

Our daily conversations with believers and non-believers alike are like those comments made in court. Those with whom we come in contact are like the jury. The things we say have lasting impact. We cannot take back what we say. But, oh, if we only minister grace to the hearers, we can provide something so valuable and beautiful. And that too will stay with them and has the power to change their lives.

I'm reminded of a song we used to sing in church many years ago, Make Me A Blessing:

1. Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
=Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life, May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
2. Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His power to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove true every moment you live.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life, May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
3. Give as 'twas given to you in your need; Love as the Master, loved you,
Be to the helpless a helper indeed; Unto your mission be true.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life, May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

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