Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place …
Summary: The self-checkout line at the grocery provides a metaphor for today’s passage. Paul tells us what language to avoid, and in doing so, he points to the things we should “check out” to make sure they reflect well on our relationship with God.
Paul has just finished telling us that God’s people are holy and that we should be moral, pure, and generous with others. There is a connection between the words that come from our mouths and what is in our hearts.
In a sense, Paul has given us to way to check what is in our hearts. If we find any trace of immorality, impurity, or greed inside us, we know that we have some work to do. In this passage, he gives us more to add to our checklist of things to watch out for.
I am personally sensitive to this list. I like to talk! In high school, “foolish talk” and “coarse joking” were popular things to do. At some point, I realized that they were more than “out of place,” I discovered that they are often hurtful.
Today I use my words more carefully. One example is that I am very sensitive to taking the Lord’s name in vain. The third commandment says:
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)
When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, he begins with ”Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name …”
God’s name is important. Moreover, it is every bit as holy as the LORD himself.
As for foolish talk and coarse joking, Paul points out that what we say reflects what is in our hearts. Foolish talk comes from an impure heart. Coarse joking often is based on immoral thoughts.
Do you listen to the words that come out of your mouth? Jesus teaches us to “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4) Being aware of the words we use provides an easy way to check what is in our hearts.
When we go to the store and use the “self-checkout” aisle, we use the scanner to check every item we purchase. We are wise if we look at our words the same way, one at a time. Do they pass the test, or do they carry a price tag that is more than we can afford? (Matthew 5:25, 7:1-2)
Application: Listen to the words you use. What do they say about your heart?
Food for Thought: As Christians, how does Jesus want us to police our language?
As Christians, how does Jesus want us to police our language?
I like your checkout metaphor. Imagine if, at the store, one took each item out of the cart and examined it for cost and quality before scanning it, and then depending on its cost and quality, set it aside or went back to choose a different item. Not only would one begin to change what they scanned, but soon, one would begin to change what they put into their cart in the first place before making it to the checkout point.
If our hearts are our cart, and the checkout is our speaking and actions, Jesus wants us to police those items because they must be weighted against whether those items are good for building or good for destroying. Are you scanning battery acid or milk? More importantly, do the items demonstrate love for God, and love for our neighbor. Will they fuel the light (Spirit) or do they serve as a cover to hide the light?
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Thanks Chris!
I love how you tie today’s metaphor into the one about building a house. (Luke 6: 46-49) How we lay our foundation and the materials we use are important.
Good devotion. I had my kids (and myself) memorize Matthew 12:36, 37 when they were little.
Hi JEC!
Great verse!! Thank you!
As Christians, how does Jesus want us to police our language?
“Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ”
If every thought is captive, then how much more do will every word be? He also tells us that we will be accountable for every careless word that comes out of our mouth.
You just need the right filter.
Thanks TAN.
I think the “filter” you are referring to is called the Holy Spirit! 🙂
I love this devotion and the illustration of the self check out aisle at the grocery store. JEC mentioned Matthew 12: 36 – we are accountable for every word. So we should indeed check every word before saying something. James 1: 19 reminds us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 3: 1 – 12 tells us to control our tongue because it is deadly. And as TAN said above, 2 Corinthians 10: 5 tells us to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. Ephesians 4: 29 tells us to only use our words to edify others. Our words do have power so we need to exercise the fruit of the Spirit (self control) as we speak.
I speak a lot, and in public a lot. I have had too many occasions in which I look back and think, did I really say that. That is why I try to be very prepared when I speak to be careful what I say. And yet I still often fail.
Again, you check out illustration works. An inventory of our words before we speak might keep us from regret after we speak.
Thanks Rich,
I know what you mean. It is hard, in the moment, to filter words real time. Our perspective at the moment might feel okay, and then in light of what happens after feel not so okay. We really need to lean on God’s guidance and his forgiveness every day.
08-05-2022, As Christians, how does Jesus want us to police our language?
Do we have our christian “church” actions and language, and then our other actions and language for the world, do we join in with laughter when coarse jokes are being told, or do we find something else to do.
Put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk, avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. Colossians 3:8, 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:16
Jesus is God, and through Him, believers receive the power by which we live our eternal lives beginning now, as instruments through which Jesus ministers to the world around us. In the Bible we see Jesus did not live a life in isolation, nor did He participate in any ungodly behavior to convert others to righteous living.
He went to marketplaces, streets and crowds. He joined people in their homes, even those considered to be corrupted. His ministry impacted people because He lived separated from all appearance of evil, and many chose to trust God because of this personal contact with God.
Knowing Christ lives in us, it is reasonable to expect that we have a similar ministry, and people will see Jesus Christ through us.
Acts 1-3
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
We remain on earth as ministers for God which applies to all we do.
Ron,
Thank you!! I love the Romans 12:2 passage and focusing on Jesus really ties this all together!