"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:33-37 NIV)

The Lord spoke words of grace to the woman at the well in John 4:7-29. The Lord drew her to Himself and offered her living water, the provision of grace that gave her eternal life. "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14).

She came to know Jesus Christ, and the result was the unquenchable power of her testimony to the Samaritans. Christianity often lacks the touch of the Living Word. This does not mean compromise! It is not concession; it is spiritual communication. It ministers grace to the hearer. Whenever a believer abides in ignorance of doctrine or weakness, the Word of God gives specific definition concerning how to speak to him. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Ephesians 4:29 is a key verse concerning godly communication: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." The spirit filled Christian always speaks the truth in love. Remember, our words on earth are few. If our words do not edify, we should remain quiet. Obedience in the area of speech keeps us from using idle words based upon human resources. Let your words be words of grace.