“…neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4)
What Your Words Say About You
One of the easiest ways for people to see if we love God is by listening to how we talk. If we use filthy words, people will assume we do not follow God. Our speech is a direct reflection of our heart.
Think about the apostle Peter on the night Jesus was arrested. When Peter denied knowing Jesus, he began to curse and swear (Matthew 26:74). He used bad language to convince the crowd that he wasn’t one of Jesus’ followers.
If Peter used rough language to distance himself from Jesus, what message are we sending to others when we use bad language?
The Water Fountain Illustration
Imagine going to a water fountain for a drink. The person in front of you drinks and says, “Mmm, that water is good.” But when you take a sip, the water tastes salty and terrible! You try again, and suddenly it tastes delicious.
The writer James says that Christians should not be like this confusing fountain. A single spring of water cannot produce both sweet and bitter water from the same opening.
In the same way, followers of God should not use their mouths to praise God one minute and speak evil of others the next. We must learn to control our tongues.
Three Things to Put Away
Our theme verse commands us to avoid three specific types of speech:
- Filthiness—morally dirty or offensive talk that comes from a dirty mind.
- Foolish talking—silly, wasteful, or godless speech about things we should not discuss.
- Coarse jesting—vulgar or inappropriate joking, or making light of good things.
The apostle Paul explains that these behaviors are not proper for people who love God. Instead of dirty speech, our mouths should be filled with words that please God and show gratitude.
Private Reflection Journal
What is one thing from this study that you can apply to your life today? Jot down your thoughts below.