Articles
A Case for Clean Speech
“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not 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” (Ephesians 5:3-4).
It should go without saying that our speech reflects our character. In these verses Paul warns about the dangers of crude speech. We once walked in darkness, but now we are “Light in the Lord” (verse 8). Part of walking as children of light means we keep careful guard over what we say. Three principles deserve our careful reflection:
The Christian’s speech must not be profane, indecent, or idle. Paul uses very vivid words to tell us what should not characterize our language: “filthiness, silly talk, coarse jesting” in the NASB. The NIV translates using these words: “obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking.” None of this means that humor itself is wrong, for the Bible commends a merry heart and laughter (Proverbs 17:22). What is wrong is when our humor is colored by crudeness and obscenity.
I do not think it is merely coincidental that the warning against filthy speech immediately follows the warning against sexual sin. Jokes which make light of and even encourage fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and every other immorality are simply impure. One who finds himself laughing at impurity may find himself lowering his standard when personally tempted by such sins. At the very least such jesting—though not it may not be intended to condone sin—does not encourage righteous living.
It should be obvious to us what is and is not appropriate. Filthy jokes and crude language “are not fitting” (v. 4), just as immorality is not “proper among saints” (v. 3). Paul does not go into great detail as to what specific words or kinds of jokes he is talking about. Rather, the general principle is made clear and we are left to judge what is and is not fitting. I do not think that his point is “for each person the standard will be different” but “you all ought to know what is proper.” Every crude word need not be spelled out in Scripture for them to be wrong. Even if Paul did list curse words in Ephesians they would be meaningless to us because they would be Greek, and I don’t think any of us know how to cuss in Greek. The point is simply that we ought to have (or at least be developing) the moral common sense to discern right and wrong (see Hebrews 5:14).
A Christian’s speech must be edifying. “Let no rotten word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Filthy speech must be replaced by seasoned speech. “Giving thanks” is an example of the kind of speech which gives grace to those who hear (Ephesians 5:4). Our speech has the power to tear down or build up both human beings and God’s standard of righteousness. Let’s be sure to bless man and “adorn the doctrine of God” (Titus 2:10) by what we say.
It bothers me that Christians shamelessly watch TV shows like Family Guy, The Big Bang Theory, and The Office, which are chock-full of obscene sexual content and filthy language. Today’s movies can be much, much worse. I don’t say this because I have never watched these shows and laughed. I have. I have told filthy jokes and snickered at many more. I have used my share of cuss words. But how does any of that fit with the high charge to “walk as children of light?”
One might say, “it doesn’t affect me.” Honestly, I have difficulty believing that because we are not superhuman. But even if our moral senses were made of steel, it would still be true that “it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:12).
