But giving of thanks

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. – Ephesians 5.3-4

So we avoid all of these bad things, hopefully. We eliminate them as we realise that this is not what God wants from us.

There is something that we are always, always, always safe doing - always. It is something that is always appropriate. It is something that should dominate our lives.

Preachers sometimes talk about the principle of replacement. Here is something to replace all that foolish talking and coarse jesting filthiness and all that junk with.

Instead of all of that we have 'giving of thanks.'

How important is that?

In everything give thanks.

Give thanks for everything.

Don't be full of cares in everything...with thanksgiving.

The sacrifice of thanksgiving

That and so much more are part of what God says about thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a great indication of our faith, but more on that in a few days.

For now its a simple enough idea - replace all of that other stuff with something that edifies - replace it with thanksgiving.