In Ephesians 4:29, Paul said: "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" .

We all realize that the tongue is a mixed blessing. Certainly, it can be the source of much injury through gossip, lying, slander, etc. But who can calculate the amount of good that can be done by the tongue? Many of the good works that we are commanded to do as Christians are done by the tongue. As a matter of fact, any Christian can provide a valuable service to God, the kingdom, and the world by using his tongue to the glory of God. Here are some good works that can be a part of your “ministry of words.”

1. Peacemaker: Making peace between brethren makes peace in the church. No greater service can be rendered. Jesus said "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).

2. Companionship for the Lonely: James said, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (James 1 :27). Jesus speaks of those who will be saved because "I was a stranger and ye took me in ... I was sick and ye visited me, I was in prison and ye came unto me" (Matt. 25:36).

3. Encourage Those Who Are Struggling: Paul said, "Now we exhort you brethren ... comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak- be patient with all" (1 Thess. 5:14). This can do immeasurable good. Solomon said, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Prov. 25: 11).

4. Guide the Young: "The older men ... be sound in the faith, in love, in patience ... the older women, likewise teach the younger women" (Titus 2: 1-5). How many babes in Christ could be kept from dying in infancy if they had been "taken under the wing" of an older and more mature Christian?

5. Admonish the Wayward: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly" (1 Thess. 5: 14). "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness" (Gal. 6: 1).

6. Teach the Lost: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16: 15). "Be ready to give an answer to every man that asks you the reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3: 15). This commission is as large as the world and as personal as your next door neighbor.

7. Pray for All: Pray for the leaders of nations (1 Tim. 2:2), for the sick (James 5: 16), for those preaching the gospel, for church leaders, for the lost. Pray without ceasing.

Any Christian who will use his tongue in these ways will save himself and others also.

By Dana Slingluff