Forbidden Words – Filthiness, Foolish Talk, Course Jesting
So far in this series, we have considered cursing, lying, and murmuring. Another area of forbidden speech is filthiness, foolish talking, and course jesting. Ephesians 5:3-4 says, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” We used to call this telling “dirty jokes.” The context makes this clear. Discussing sexual matters in an inappropriate way is behavior not fitting for saints. It is sinful.
Why? It changes something that God has made holy into something that is common. God has appointed the sexual relationship for married men and women. In marriage, human sexuality is holy. This means it is not intended to be promiscuous, common, occurring in public, or available for open consumption. God did not want human beings to behave like animals. Sexual relationships outside of marriage is sinful. To discuss it in an unholy way is also sinful. It denigrates marriage, and makes light of what God has sanctified. It takes what is beautiful and makes it ugly by vulgarizing it. It’s like throwing mud on the Mona Lisa.
Filthy speaking trivializes and threatens marriage by implying that sexual matters are unimportant, may be made light of, and do not need to be taken seriously. This is the opposite of what God says about it. First Thessalonians 4:7-8 says regarding fornication, “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” Respect for marriage is a matter of salvation. Those who do not respect it, reject God.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley