“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.”

If you heard me read this verse of scripture with your heart, and not your head, there should be some shaking going on inside. Because this is a verse of scripture that would bring radical change in every relationship if we would learn to apply it conscientiously. Let me give it to you from the Living Bible.

“Don’t use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing.”

That translation is helpful, but it still does not convey the fullness of the Kings James translation. In Paul’s epistle translation, it’s not bad language that’s the subject. It’s CORRUPT language. Bad language is corrupt, but corrupt language is far broader.

But how can we identify what is corrupt? It’s tough because corrupt language does not always sound bad to the hearer. For instance:
Corrupt language can be flattering, but phony.
Corrupt language can be honest,...