Talk
“Let no corrupting talk come from your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
At the end of chapter four, the apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians that since they are in Christ, they are to no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. He is referring to their old way of life as Gentiles (unbelievers) do, corrupt through deceitful desires (verse 22). All of this old life is to be daily being renewed through the work of the Spirit of Christ in the believer. One work of the Spirit in our sanctification is in what comes
from our mouth.
Paul says in verse 29, “Let NO corrupting talk come from your mouth.” Firstly, we are shown that not one ounce of corrupting talk is fitting to come from the mouth of a believer. Secondly, our speech is to be characterized in these ways:
However, more often than we want to admit, this does not describe what comes from our mouths.
What exactly is corrupting talk? Let’s consider the very first example of corrupting talk in the Bible: the serpent’s to the woman. His words came as the direct opposite of the speech that Paul instructs us in as those united to Christ.
The words the serpent spoke promised building up in wisdom and likeness of God, but rather brought about corruption of mind and heart. They were precise words specifically designed to instill doubt in the goodness of God and the truth of His holy Word. The serpent’s words were craftily spoken and most unfitting as he spoke to the woman to orient her desires towards herself and her own will and not towards obedience to the will and command of God, her maker. Though the serpent spoke directly to Eve, he also intentionally positioned himself so that Adam could hear the poison of his words in order to lead both of them away from the gracious favor of God and into sin and corruption.
When we participate in corrupting talk, we are speaking the same language as the serpent in the garden! Yikes! It’s a language that by words and tone and mannerisms, sow doubt and orients one’s mind away from the will and worship of God. It’s a speech critical of what God says is good, nagging and wearying the hearer to think otherwise. Its words spoken in a way to divide devour and destroy what God has made good in one another and amongst His body the church. The ripple effect of this speech goes far and wide, and after leaving your mouth, corrupt words are not easily gathered back like seeds from a cottonwood tree on a windy summer day.
This command Paul gives goes two ways. If we are commanded to not let any corrupting talk come from our mouths, we are also in the same sense commanded to not participate by listening to corrupting talk of any sorts, nor entertain corrupting talk within our minds.
So how are we to put off this old corrupting talk of our former ways that imitates the ancient serpent and put on the grace filled speech that builds up that comes from our Father in heaven? Taking this one verse on its own we might immediately be inclined to try harder to control our speech. However, this passage has less to do with us changing our talk and more to do with leaning upon the work of the Spirit to sanctify our heart. As the Scripture says, out of the mouth, the heart speaks. We may try harder at controlling what comes from our mouth, but it is our heart that needs the transformation. And how is our heart transformed? Our heart is transformed as we gaze upon Christ and as we meditate on His person and His work especially seen in this very letter in chapter one and two. That is why I believe the commands in this letter come in the latter chapters not the beginning. The way that our speech will change from that which is corruptible to that which is good and building up is only when we, by the Spirit, set our mind on the way that Christ has spoken to us.
Consider in what manner the Word of grace from the Father in heaven came to us (the Word made flesh) with such tender love and affection, kindness and mercy. Consider the heart motive of Jesus in speaking to sinful man to do them good and for building up not tearing down. How He always speaks in a manner that fits the occasion as the Spirit of God who knows the thoughts and intentions of our heart, precisely instructing each of us in the depths of our inner being to be conformed to His Son. And God’s Word is ALL of grace to us spoken by a good Heavenly Father, full of love towards sinners who are in need of grace.
When we allow our hearts to be molded and shaped by Him, the Word He spoke, and the way He still speaks to us, our speech too will be transformed. Then, by the work of the Spirit, what comes from our mouth is of Him, and what is of Him builds up, and what is of Him is fitting for every occasion, and what is of Him is grace to all who hear. Go therefore, and speak of Him! Tell others of His love, His goodness, His gospel and His mighty works. Point out His grace in one another, stir in one another greater awe and trust in Christ our Savior. And where you find that your speech is showing areas of corruption and decay, give it quickly to the Lord and let His words and His ways and the grace of His truth wash over you again.
-Pastor Paul
At the end of chapter four, the apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians that since they are in Christ, they are to no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. He is referring to their old way of life as Gentiles (unbelievers) do, corrupt through deceitful desires (verse 22). All of this old life is to be daily being renewed through the work of the Spirit of Christ in the believer. One work of the Spirit in our sanctification is in what comes
from our mouth.
Paul says in verse 29, “Let NO corrupting talk come from your mouth.” Firstly, we are shown that not one ounce of corrupting talk is fitting to come from the mouth of a believer. Secondly, our speech is to be characterized in these ways:
1. The manner of our speech is “for building up”
2. The thoughtful precision of our speech must be “Fitting the occasion”
3. The goal of all speech is “to give grace to those who hear”
However, more often than we want to admit, this does not describe what comes from our mouths.
What exactly is corrupting talk? Let’s consider the very first example of corrupting talk in the Bible: the serpent’s to the woman. His words came as the direct opposite of the speech that Paul instructs us in as those united to Christ.
The words the serpent spoke promised building up in wisdom and likeness of God, but rather brought about corruption of mind and heart. They were precise words specifically designed to instill doubt in the goodness of God and the truth of His holy Word. The serpent’s words were craftily spoken and most unfitting as he spoke to the woman to orient her desires towards herself and her own will and not towards obedience to the will and command of God, her maker. Though the serpent spoke directly to Eve, he also intentionally positioned himself so that Adam could hear the poison of his words in order to lead both of them away from the gracious favor of God and into sin and corruption.
When we participate in corrupting talk, we are speaking the same language as the serpent in the garden! Yikes! It’s a language that by words and tone and mannerisms, sow doubt and orients one’s mind away from the will and worship of God. It’s a speech critical of what God says is good, nagging and wearying the hearer to think otherwise. Its words spoken in a way to divide devour and destroy what God has made good in one another and amongst His body the church. The ripple effect of this speech goes far and wide, and after leaving your mouth, corrupt words are not easily gathered back like seeds from a cottonwood tree on a windy summer day.
This command Paul gives goes two ways. If we are commanded to not let any corrupting talk come from our mouths, we are also in the same sense commanded to not participate by listening to corrupting talk of any sorts, nor entertain corrupting talk within our minds.
So how are we to put off this old corrupting talk of our former ways that imitates the ancient serpent and put on the grace filled speech that builds up that comes from our Father in heaven? Taking this one verse on its own we might immediately be inclined to try harder to control our speech. However, this passage has less to do with us changing our talk and more to do with leaning upon the work of the Spirit to sanctify our heart. As the Scripture says, out of the mouth, the heart speaks. We may try harder at controlling what comes from our mouth, but it is our heart that needs the transformation. And how is our heart transformed? Our heart is transformed as we gaze upon Christ and as we meditate on His person and His work especially seen in this very letter in chapter one and two. That is why I believe the commands in this letter come in the latter chapters not the beginning. The way that our speech will change from that which is corruptible to that which is good and building up is only when we, by the Spirit, set our mind on the way that Christ has spoken to us.
Consider in what manner the Word of grace from the Father in heaven came to us (the Word made flesh) with such tender love and affection, kindness and mercy. Consider the heart motive of Jesus in speaking to sinful man to do them good and for building up not tearing down. How He always speaks in a manner that fits the occasion as the Spirit of God who knows the thoughts and intentions of our heart, precisely instructing each of us in the depths of our inner being to be conformed to His Son. And God’s Word is ALL of grace to us spoken by a good Heavenly Father, full of love towards sinners who are in need of grace.
When we allow our hearts to be molded and shaped by Him, the Word He spoke, and the way He still speaks to us, our speech too will be transformed. Then, by the work of the Spirit, what comes from our mouth is of Him, and what is of Him builds up, and what is of Him is fitting for every occasion, and what is of Him is grace to all who hear. Go therefore, and speak of Him! Tell others of His love, His goodness, His gospel and His mighty works. Point out His grace in one another, stir in one another greater awe and trust in Christ our Savior. And where you find that your speech is showing areas of corruption and decay, give it quickly to the Lord and let His words and His ways and the grace of His truth wash over you again.
-Pastor Paul
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