But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it
not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of
thanks. – Ephesians 5.3-4
There
are certain things that just don’t suit God’s people. There should not even be
a hint of them. Paul gives a short list of things here are so serious that
should ‘not once be named among us.’
The
part to the list that really grabs my attention today is those things at the
end of the verse.
Filthiness
Foolish
talking
Jesting
These
things are ‘not convenient.’ Literally, they don’t suit us and all have to do
with our words. It should be obvious that Christians should not be involved
with filthy talk, but there us a growing tendency today to even make excuses
for that. Foul language, dirty language, whatever we choose to call it seems to
be more and more accepted in the church and from the pulpit. Filthiness is just
that. It is dirty talk and there is clearly no place for it in the heart or
mouth of keyboard of God’s people.
Foolish
taking is vain and empty talk that accomplishes nothing. It is wasteful talk
and stuff that is said just to be heard. It’s the kind of stuff that crams
social media where everyone has the chance to show their foolishness. We have to
be careful not to be dragged into it because God holds us accountable for our
words.
The
word translated jesting is coarse joking. This isn’t that dirty talk – it is
just that coarseness that permeates speech. It is the little ‘wink, wink, nod,
nod’ that is not to excite and titillate without ever really saying the dirty words.
It is the kind of thing that we Christian can do all the time and get that
silly little giggle.
God’s
people have no room for any of this stuff. Instead we are called to be
thanksgivers. This world’s talk does need us to add fuel to the fire. Instead
we would make a real mark if we gave thanks for all that God does for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment