BAD WORDS

EPHESIANS 4:29—Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths. (NIV)

The Portuguese word for "unwholesome talk" or "corrupt communication" is "torpe"—this is an old Portuguese word that is also used to describe the smell of fish gone bad. In addition, Torpe is the same root as "torpedo"—which means the same in Portuguese as it does in English.

This tells us something about our words. The wrong ones stink—like bad fish. Moreover, they have the ability to do great damage, like a missile that explodes upon impact. Our words can do that, if we are not careful.

Let's not use words to tear people down, let's use them to build people up!

Phil