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Introduction:
Romans 6:1-4 demonstrates baptism is a symbolic act of burial
with Christ. And yet, a very real change takes place in that
moment of immersion. In the moment our faith is perfected in
obedience (James 2:22), we enter Christ and His death; the old man of sin is
put away. As we come up out of the water, we are new creatures.
Our sins are forgiven and now, we are dead to sin but alive in
Christ Jesus, raised to walk in newness of life (Romans
6:11). Not only has God made a change in us, washing our sins
away (Acts 22:16), God
expects a change in us (Romans
6:15ff). In the letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians,
Paul spoke regarding the new creatures that we are (Ephesians
2:10; 4:20-24; Colossians 3:5-11). Interestingly enough, when
Paul spoke of this, the aspect of our lives he most focused on was
our words, our language (Ephesians
4:25-32). The teaching of James
3:4-12 explained the importance of controlling our tongues.
The way we speak is an indication of who we are. If our language
does not demonstrate our service to Christ, then we are not
Christ’s servants. We will not at the same time serve Christ and
yet speak like the devil. Examine Ephesians
4:25-32 and learn how we ought to speak. Keep in mind, these
verses apply here, at home, at school, at work, with our friends,
with our family, with our neighbors. There is no place or person
in our lives for which there are exceptions to these guidelines. Discussion: I.
Ephesians 4:29
– “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth …” A.
The term
translated “unwholesome” (“corrupt” in the KJV),
“sapros” in the Greek”, is the same term used to describe a
rotten and putrefied piece of fruit. The terms “unwholesome”
and “corrupt” accurately portray opposite sides of the same
coin. We must not speak anything that is corrupt, with rottenness
in it. When rottenness begins to grip the fruit, it eats away at
it and destroys its purity. So, we must not speak anything that
isn’t whole, that is pure and undefiled by corruption. Recall
Christ’s word picture in Matthew
12:33-37, the fruit that proceeds from our mouths must be
pure. And when it is, that demonstrates we are pure. But when the
fruit is not pure, we must not deceive ourselves, thinking we are
pure. Understand, clearly, the issue of language is one of
Christian purity and we must be pure (I John 3:3). B.
However,
just saying that leaves us up in the air regarding exactly what
speech is tainted by corruption. Paul, in Ephesians,
left us with little room for speculation, demonstrating throughout
his letter what kind of speech must never be a part of our
vocabulary. 1.
Ephesians 4:31
–Paul uses six terms in this verse to describe unwholesome
speech. These terms all revolve around the same issue of biting
and devouring one another (Galatians
5:15). Bitterness refers to biting sarcasm that cuts at
someone. The terms translated wrath and anger are
quite similar. Wrath refers to a passionate, emotional response
that boils up quickly and then quickly subsides. Don’t be
governed by the heat of the moment. Anger refers to a natural
disposition. In other words, defending hateful, bitter speech by
saying, “That’s just the way I am” is condemned. Clamoring
is the idea of a useless cry, illustrated by the cries of the mob
shouting against Christianity in Acts
19:32. Slander and malice are different sides of
the same coin. They are speech designed to harm someone, either
behind their back (slander) or to their face (malice). 2.
Ephesians 4:25
– We are not to lie. We must not play cloak and dagger
games forcing others to guess our hidden meaning. Additionally,
and specifically in reference to the gospel, we must lay aside any
pretense that a person is right with God when we know full well
they are not obeying Him. Their soul is in the balance and we must
lay aside any falsehood. 3.
Ephesians 5:4
– In this verse, Paul condemns three kinds of unwholesome
speech. Filthy things, that is, obscenity must not
be spoken. There is to be no foolish talking. By this, Paul
means we are not to speak as fools do. This brings to mind what
the Psalmist said, “The fool has said in his heart there is no
God” (Psalm 14:1).
Strong’s points out that is exactly the point of Paul’s
statement. This kind of speech is godless, impious speech. We must
not speak anything that is impious toward God. And Paul condemns coarse
jesting. Regrettably, the KJV says only “jesting”. But
Paul does not limit all jest, the term here refers to ribaldry,
that is, vulgar, indecent and abusive humor. II.
Ephesians 4:29
– “… but only such a word as is good for edification …” A.
We are to
have laid aside the old self with all its corrupt language and now
we are to speak what is wholesome. Yet we may question, what is
wholesome? 1.
We
must speak those things good for edification.
To edify means to build up. We might refer to this as home
improvement or remodeling. Thus, our speech should produce
improvement, emotionally, spiritually, morally, physically,
practically, mentally or in any other way, in the lives of those
who hear us. We are not a demolition crew, but rather remodelers. 2.
Our
speech is to be governed by the need of the moment.
If we are going to be remodelers, we must first be able to listen
and accurately assess what problems exist and what needs are
there. Too often, we don’t listen long enough when others speak
to know what is appropriate. Take time to listen to others and to
know others. Then your communication to them will fit the need.
This passage demonstrates I am not allowed to say just anything I
want, in any way I want. I must consider the one to whom I am
speaking. While the hearer has responsibility to strive to
understand me, I have a great responsibility to speak in a way to
be easily understood from their perceptions. 3.
Our
words must give grace to those who hear.
That is, our words are to be a blessing. Our words should provide
delight, joy and pleasure. Of course, the idea of grace
demonstrates that the person may not deserve this type of speech.
But this is not about what others deserve. It is about what we are
to bestow. Keep in mind, however, the delight, joy and pleasure
may not be immediate. Sometimes, edifying words are painful in the
moment. But, when followed they produce joy. Consider the example
of Hebrews 12:11. B.
As with
unwholesome, Paul highlights areas of wholesome speech. 1.
Ephesians 4:32
– In contrast to the bitter, hateful and harmful speech, which
was condemned, Paul claims we are to be kind, tender-hearted
and forgiving. In Colossians
3:12, he points out we should also speak with humility,
gentleness and patience. In other words, our words are not
designed to lord over others, to put others in their place or to
take vengeance on others. Rather, they are designed to humble
ourselves before others; patiently helping them get to heaven, as
we want them to do for us. Keep in mind, the letter to the
Ephesians was written for the greater purpose of producing unity
between Jews and Gentiles. This is the kind of speech we must have
if we will promote unity here. 2.
Ephesians 4:15, 25
– As opposed to the falsehood we must lay aside, Paul claims we
must speak the truth. We must not lie. Our yes must mean
yes and our no mean no. We do not have to shore up our speech with
great oaths, but when we speak, our brethren must know they can
trust us. This also speaks to those difficult times in which we
must truthfully expose error in others (Ephesians 5:11-13). But doing so must be governed by love. That is,
we are not speaking this truth to them in order to demonstrate our
greatness or our perfection. Rather, it is out of love to help
them go to heaven 3.
Ephesians 6:19-20
– Of course, it is always right to proclaim the gospel,
to our brethren or to the lost. Again, it must be governed by
love. But Paul’s example also demonstrates it must be with
boldness. Recognize this, speaking in love does not mean speaking
timidly. 4.
Ephesians 6:19-20
– Finally, instead of speaking words that harm others, we should
speak words that lift others up and the greatest place we can do
that is in prayer. We must speak in prayer on behalf of
others. And we need to speak in prayer with others. A practice
that will help us is to pray with one another, outside of our
congregational worship and at times other than before a meal. Conclusion: Read Matthew 12:33-38 again to understand the seriousness of Paul’s teaching. If our speech is corrupt, then we ourselves are corrupt. For out of our hearts our words flow. I want to bring to your attention Jesus’ parable of judgment in Matthew 13:47-50. The fact that we have entered the kingdom of heaven through baptism does not insure we will not face judgment. In the end, Jesus will send forth his angels to separate from the kingdom those who have not lived in purity but continued in or returned to corruption. Based upon your speech at home, at school, at work, if that judgment were to take place right now, where would you be?
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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