Let No Unwholesome Talk Come Out of Your Mouths
A Scripture-Grounded Call to Holy Speech
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
This command from God addresses not only outward behavior but the very source of human speech. The Greek word for “unwholesome” or “filthy,” σαπρός (sapros), literally means “corrupt” or “useless.” Its deeper spiritual meaning, however, points to language that drives people away from God, leads them into rebellion, and reflects the depravity of fallen human nature. Such words come from hearts that do not know the Truth, do not honor God’s greatness, refuse to repent, disobey God’s Word, do not walk in the Light, and reject the redemption of Jesus’ precious blood. When a person speaks these words, they not only distance the listener from God’s Truth but also estrange themselves from God’s will. The explicit meaning of “corrupt and useless speech” is therefore “unholy language that is displeasing to God,” and no one who belongs to God should speak anything that is unholy or displeasing to Him.
The verse also instructs believers to speak “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” The Greek word for “building up,” οἰκοδομὴν (oikodomé), originally means “to build,” evoking the image of construction. Spiritually, this building is not of bricks and mortar but of hearts and souls. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding, transforming, and blessing others. True edifying words cannot come from human effort alone; they flow from obedience to Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only when a person keeps the Word of Jesus and allows Him to dwell within can they speak words that are spiritually nourishing and life-giving. Such speech leads others to know the Truth, obey God’s Word, abide in Christ, receive salvation, walk in the Light, and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Words that build are rivers of living water flowing from the Spirit, quenching the thirst of souls and guiding humanity toward eternal life.
James 1:21
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
1 Corinthians 14:3
“But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.”
From the above Scriptures, we understand that the highest purpose of speaking words that build others up is to help people know God’s Word and encourage them to keep it, so that they may receive God’s salvation and have their souls saved.
The danger of foul language stems from people's abandonment of God and disobedience to His word. Words that are not drawn from the Word planted by God in the heart are corrupt and ineffective. When a person does not humbly accept and keep God's word, his words reflect the fallen nature of the world, not life itself.
Only by keeping Jesus’ Word does the believer allow Him to dwell within, and only then can speech become a tool for salvation, guidance, and spiritual restoration.
Those who do not keep Jesus’ commands cannot receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them does not belong to God but belongs to the world; such a person cannot be set apart as holy or become holy through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Whoever belongs to the world is unholy in the eyes of God and is considered unclean. Whoever belongs to the world speaks the words of the world, and such words are filthy in the sight of God.
The Spiritual Meaning of “Words That Build Others Up”
This passage teaches us that we are to “speak words that build others up according to the need of the moment.” The term “build up” here comes from the Greek word οἰκοδομή (oikodomē), which literally means “to build.” This is an image of construction—not only the building of physical structures, but more importantly the building up of others in their spiritual lives, so that their hearts may receive the indwelling, guidance, transformation, renewal, and blessing of the Holy Spirit.
Those who belong to God must not only refrain from speaking words that do not please God or that are unholy, but must also speak words that build others up. However, humanity’s fallen nature and human ability alone are utterly incapable of producing such words. This is because, in a spiritual sense, “speaking good words that build others up” means helping people become those who belong to God. In other words, such words must help others come to know the truth, obey the words of Jesus, receive God’s salvation, enter the kingdom of heaven, and obtain eternal life.
Only by obeying Jesus’ commands can a person receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only by receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can a person be born again and become a new creation. And only after being born again and made a new creation can a person speak words that build others up through God’s word and the truth of Jesus.
Those who do not obey Jesus’ commands cannot receive the indwelling of Jesus. Those who do not have Jesus dwelling within them belong to the world rather than to the Holy Spirit. Anyone who does not belong to the Holy Spirit speaks words that are worldly and impure. How, then, can words that are worldly and impure be used to speak words that truly build others up?
Only by obeying Jesus’ commands can a person receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can that person speak words that build others up.
The essence of words that build others up is this: words that lead people to know the truth, to obey God’s word, to abide in Christ, to be born again and become new creations, to walk in the light, to receive redemption through Christ’s precious blood, to receive God’s salvation, to enter the kingdom of heaven, and to obtain eternal life. Such words are like rivers of living water flowing from the Holy Spirit; they nourish the human soul and lead people toward God’s kingdom and eternal life.
Isaiah 55:8–9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Here God establishes an unbridgeable distinction between divine truth and human reasoning. When human ideas, philosophies, or cultural values are used to interpret or replace God’s Word, the result is not enlightenment but deception. Speech shaped by human thought alone cannot produce eternal life, because God’s thoughts stand infinitely higher than all human understanding. Only words aligned with His thoughts can lead others into truth.
Exodus 20:25
“If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it.”
John 4:24
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
God rejects worship that is shaped by human craftsmanship, and by the same principle He rejects truth that is shaped by human invention. To add human tools to God’s altar is to defile it, and to add human philosophy to God’s Word is to corrupt it. Worship in Spirit and truth requires submission to what God has spoken, not creativity in reshaping it. Speech that builds must therefore flow from truth as God has revealed it, not as humanity prefers it.
John 14:21
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:23
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
Jesus makes it clear that love for Him is proven by obedience. Where obedience is absent, Christ does not dwell. Only those who keep His commands become a dwelling place for God. Speech that reflects Christ’s holiness can only come from those in whom Christ lives. Without obedience, words may be religious, but they will not be holy.
Revelation 22:18–19
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”
Matthew 5:18
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
God Himself declares that His Word is complete, eternal, and unchangeable. Any attempt to adjust it for human comfort or cultural acceptance invites judgment rather than blessing. Speech that builds must therefore be faithful to the Word as written, not reshaped by human desire.
1 Corinthians 9:16
“For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
1 Corinthians 9:27
“No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Paul testifies that preaching the gospel is not a matter of pride but obligation. Even the preacher himself remains under discipline and accountability. Speaking God’s truth without obedience leads not to reward but to disqualification. Therefore, speech that builds must be joined with a life that submits fully to Christ.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Acts 2:38
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
Repentance is the doorway to holy speech. Without repentance, sins remain, the Spirit does not dwell, and words remain governed by the flesh. When repentance takes place, forgiveness comes, the Holy Spirit is given, and speech begins to reflect new life.
Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
From James 1:21, we learn that people must humbly receive the word of God that is planted in their hearts—the word that has the power to save them. Life itself is sustained by God’s word. What does not come from God’s word cannot save people, cannot nourish them, and cannot grant eternal life. Only what is rooted in God’s word possesses the power to build up the soul and enable it to inherit eternal life.
Conclusion: A Call to Watchfulness and Return
Those who love the world, follow its culture, and reject obedience to Christ cannot speak words that please God, because Jesus does not dwell in them. The dwelling of Christ is not granted through profession, emotion, or religious activity, but through keeping His word. Where the word of Jesus is not kept, Christ does not make His home. Where Christ does not dwell, God’s Word does not remain living and active in the heart. When the heart is empty of the living word of Christ, the mouth cannot lead anyone to salvation, no matter how persuasive or religious the speech may appear.
Only when a person keeps the word of Jesus does Christ dwell within him. Only when Christ dwells within does the Word of God live richly in the heart. And only when the Word lives richly within can a person speak words that carry life, repentance, truth, and eternal hope. Speech that builds others up does not come from human effort, moral intention, or worldly wisdom, but from the indwelling presence of Christ through obedience to His word.
Therefore, let every follower of Jesus examine not only the words spoken, but the obedience of the heart. Let every word be tested by this question: does Christ dwell in me because I keep His word, or am I speaking apart from His indwelling presence? Let all speech be fully submitted to Christ, shaped by Scripture, and governed by obedience.
May no unwholesome or unholy words that displease God come from our mouths, but only words that come from Christ dwelling within us—words that come from God’s truth, that build people up, call them to repentance, lead them into God’s kingdom, and guide them to inherit eternal life in Jesus Christ.
