“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:29 and 32; NKJV). Everybody needs to feel loved and also, everybody needs to love. How do we show that love to others? It seems to me that it is largely by what we say and do. Verse 29 above deals with what we say and verse 32 with what we do. Looking at verse 29, what we say should “edify” others, in other words – build them up. Verse 29 in the Amplified Bible says that our speech should be “good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others.” Not only that but it should also “impart grace” to those we are talking to. What does that mean? The NLT translates that as, “be an encouragement”; the Amplified Bible, “be a blessing”; the NIV, “may benefit.” Let’s look for opportunities to be an encourager when we speak, to say something positive, that will make a person feel good about themselves. Now let’s look at verse 32. A quick summary of that verse tells us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. If we can do those things we will be demonstrating the love of Jesus to others. (All these qualities are found in 1 Cor 13:4-7 along with several more). Of course, to speak and act in this way does not come naturally; however, with renewing our minds in the word and the help of the Holy Spirit we can grow in love, in these qualities, and then John 13:35 will become a reality, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (NLT).