Word for Wednesday
But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking or jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3,4
There are some things we as the Lord’s people shouldn’t talk about. We know that sexual immorality is wrong. What we don’t seem to get through our heads is that it should not even be discussed with the same loose approach that the world takes. We should have what David Oliver describes as ‘a holy embarrassment’ about such things. We all know this, but we need to be reminded, because the world is so saturated by such filthiness that it is difficult to avoid.
The verse also speaks of foolish talking and jesting, things which are not convenient (not becoming). Before you consider this verse a total squelch on jokes and jollity, remember, the apostle here is speaking of those things that would take anything away from our testimonies as the holy people of a holy God. We need to be very careful that our good-naturedness does not descend into the gutter or be taken up with those things that are pointless and worthless for us to address.
That being said, the Christians are the only people with any right to be happy. We should be joyful and merry, although we need to be careful that we remain within the bounds of decency, respectability, and consideration of others. There have been many young people who have been attracted to hear the Gospel because they discovered to their amazement that Christians can have enjoyable times together. Good-natured jokes and banter among people who share a love for the Lord and for each other can be an excellent testimony to the blessings of God and the joys of our salvation.
Paul says a better approach is to give thanks. The more we dwell on the goodness of God and the wonderful character of His people, the more joyful we will be.
Billy Sunday used to say that the world considers a Christian to be someone with a face long enough to eat oatmeal from the end of a gas pipe. How sad! Christians should be happy. A glum Christian is a poor testimony. -Jim MacIntosh