“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
This statement has been probably been uttered by moms for centuries.
I know I said it many times as a teacher, and I find myself thinking it often as we live in a culture that feels it is ok to say whatever negative thing it wants to any other person, even total strangers! Grrr!
While that phrase is a great motto to live by, there is an even more important statement to that needs to be followed by each of us, especially in our homes…
Click here to download the printable PDF!
We need to put a stop to negative words being spoken to one another, but to make our families stronger, we also need to speak words that BUILD each other up.
Kind words.
Affirming words.
Encouraging words.
I love the NIV translation of Ephesians 4:29 because of the word BUILD. It has created a great mental picture in my mind about what my words can do for my sons and husband, building a stronger family with the right words.
But I also adore Ephesians 4:29 in The Message…
Click here to download the printable PDF!
My words should be a GIFT. Oh my, that is good stuff right there.
Everything that comes out of your mouth will affect your family one way or another – what kind of words will they be today?
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Family Tie #14: Build your family up with the gift of your words! Post one of these translations of Ephesians 4:29 in your home to remind yourself and your family of the power of your words.
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I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
I use this verse with my kids. When I catch then being rude to each other I stop them and ask if their words are building each other up. Usually the response is no and they apologize. In correcting them I sometimes forget it applies to me too. My words should be a gift to them. Am I always correcting them or do I praise them for good behavior too. How do I sound when I’m stressed out? I will be thinking about this today. Thank you.
Ooo, I really like that Message translation too. I’m afraid that too often (especially at the end of the day when I didn’t get up and in the Word first) my words do more knocking down than building. Ug.
I totally hear you, Sara! Even had to catch myself this morning already after a stressful few days. Repeating “my words are a gift” over and over today!
This is great, Erin. I need to consider my words more carefully as I try to teach my children to do the same. Thanks for the printable reminder!
What pretty printables!! I’m trying so hard to build my girls up and to guard my tongue -but it gets tiring!! I love the Message translation – direct and to the point! Easy to remember that my words need to be gifts.
Yes, such a fantastic reminder!! Always! I thought with my children getting older, it would get easier. Nope….continually need the reminder myself. 😉