What is “evil speaking” in Ephesians 4:31?

Response

In the intricate network of human communication, words act as threads that can either harm or enhance the quality of our relationships with others. Therefore, the apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:31, mentions “evil speaking” (NKJV) as something that believers should avoid. The rationale behind refraining from uttering evil and harmful words is that we have been “created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (verse 24, ESV) and are “members of one another” (verse 25, ESV). Consequently, we should only communicate things that are “beneficial for building up, as appropriate for the occasion, so that it may give grace to those who hear” (verse 29, ESV).

Evil speaking is an English term for the Greek word blasphemia, which combines blapto (“to injure”) and pheme (“a saying”). Together, these words denote expressions that injure, defame, or slander. To fully understand its significance, we must consider it in conjunction with the other negative characteristics in Ephesians 4:31. Bitterness, wrath, anger, and clamor all originate from a hostile and divisive attitude fueled by pride and self-centeredness. Evil speaking is the verbal manifestation of such a disposition, spouting words that harm reputations, perpetuate falsehoods, and undermine unity within the body of Christ.

Proverbs 18:21 serves as a reminder that “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (ESV). Hence, our words possess the remarkable power to uplift or discourage, to heal or to harm. Evil speech encompasses not only overt forms of slander but also subtler forms like gossip, backbiting, and unjust criticism. In addressing these issues, the apostle James cautions believers about the repercussions of misusing our tongues: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you…”You are not a doer of the law but a judge” «Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. », (James 4:11). When we engage in such behavior, we contribute to an atmosphere of mistrust and disunity within the body of Christ. Let us, then, be careful not to poison the well of Christian fellowship and hinder the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and local church.

In Christ, we are called to leave behind the old self with its sinful inclinations and clothe ourselves with the new self, renewed in the image of Christ: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:9-10;ESV). To put away evil speech is to commit ourselves to a life characterized by grace, love, and edification (Colossians 4:6;Ephesians 4:32).

Addressing the issue of evil speaking is not solely a linguistic exercise. On the contrary, it has profound implications for our day-to-day interactions. As believers, we are ambassadors for Christ, bearing His name and reputation in the world «Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. », (2 Corinthians 5:20). Thus, our speech, both within the church and outside it, ought to reflect the status of our redeemed lives.