Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:1-6)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:33-37)

After reading and re-reading the above verses, the following words and phrases stand out to me: “Be imitators of God…walk in love…fragrant aroma…silly talk…coarse jesting…corrupt communication…edifying…careless words…”

By virtue of the fact that we are “Christian” most, if not all, of us would never be inclined toward using profanity or perverse speaking in our interactions with one another. We tend to want to guard our speech and thereby, guard each one’s dignity. Not to do so is, at the very least, unacceptable and unprofessional. More than anything else, it is unbecoming of the called, the chosen of God. Can I get a witness?

None of us would disagree that we live in a fallen, depraved culture bent toward idolatry and iniquity. How then do we/will we choose to live as light in the midst of such darkness? How do we live set apart/sanctified/holy, being IN and yet not OF the world we live in?

Our challenge today:
Be intentional to watch your words. Why? Because your words matter! If you’re inclined to tell jokes ask yourself these questions: “Are these words I’m saying edifying?” “Are they at someone else’s expense?”

I cringe inwardly when I hear jokes that poke fun at someone because of their hair color (blond jokes) or size (tall or short) or any part of their person that is deemed different or socially acceptable to insult. How shall the Christian – you and I – choose to use our words?

Stephanie Paul

Stephanie Paul, wife and mother of two grown children. An “instrument of change” in the Redeemer’s Hand, in the lives of wounded and hurting women. Currently serving as a part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Woman of Character Program Director.