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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Freedom of speech is one of the most revered and precious freedoms which we have in the USA. We can, with very few restrains, literally say anything that we wish to without fear of recrimination from those who might differ or object. This is vastly different from what exists in the majority of the world's population. Governments with state run radio and television stations know nothing of such freedom; every word that is broadcast is carefully scrubbed and polished so as to present only the best side of the government to the listening public.
Freedom to speak, however, does not mean that it is wise or good to say any and everything that comes to mind! There are responsibilities that are conferred upon every creature on the face of this earth regarding his or her speech, regardless of the country in which the person lives or the political or social values that are espoused. Allow me to “back up” this conclusion with scripture. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4.29).
Note the fact that the Bible says there are some words that are corrupt. Since such words are on a list of prohibited things for Christians, we would do well to know what is intended by the statement. According to linguistic sources, the Greek word translated corrupt in our focus text literally means “bad, putrefied, rotten, not fit for use, worthless.” This text along with this definition establish the fact that words have character; they convey value (or in some cases the opposite of value). This text, when it is believed, takes away the excuse that is frequently offered to justify the use of filthy and corrupt speech, namely, “I didn't mean anything by it; it was just a word that everybody says!” Whether we “mean anything by it” or not, every word has intrinsic value or lack there of. And to put it like the Holy Spirit did, some words are useless! They simply have no place in the speech of those who wish to glorify God.
So, for the Christian, freedom of speech does not open the door to any and every kind of speech that can be uttered. Rather, it means almost the opposite; it means that I have a responsibility to choose words that are on the opposite end of the spectrum, away from those that are corrupt and putrefied. Follow this line of reasoning with me in a more graphic, though hypothetical, situation. Suppose you and I enter a buffet style restaurant. However, this restaurant is not governed by our current laws of health and hygiene. Rather, foods are not kept at any particular temperature and they are not disposed of as they become stale and eventually ruin. But, this is our only option to eat. There is good food available, but it is right along side food that is not so wholesome as well as food that has gone bad. Now, given the fact that this is our only choice for eating, which foods would you choose? For me, I know which ones I would pick. They would be foods that pass the sniff and sight test; they would not look nor smell bad! Further, I would choose foods that are known to remain fresh even after a long time; foods that are known not to spoil or go bad! That would be the way to survive in such a hypothetical scenario.
Surely the application is clear. Some words are rotten. They convey base and depraved ideas. They have no place in the ordinary day-to-day speech of responsible creatures of God. Even if they are used by the “pretty people” and the glamour set, they still have no place in godly communication. I know I am old fashioned and somewhat of a dinosaur in the 21century, but there are lines of propriety that my conscience simply will not allow me to cross. However, it goes beyond that; there are lines of propriety that God has drawn that we ought not cross. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth!
Questions:
1. Do words exist that are rotten and putrefied?
2. Are these “just words” that can be uttered without meaning anything by them? Even if the answer is yes, does this mean it is okay to say them?
3. What type of speech ought to replace the debased speech that the Holy Spirit forbids?
4. Do you and I have ANY responsibility to those who hear our words (note today's focus text)?
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