Word of Salvation – Vol. 25 No. 26 – April 1979

 

Watch Your Language

 

Sermon by Rev. J. W. Westendorp, B.D. on Ephesians 4:29

Scripture reading: Psalm 141, James 3

Psalter Hymnal: 172:1, 4, 5; 95; 452; 462:1, 3, 6; 292:1-4

 

Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I wonder whether you have ever thought of the power of a word? There is really tremendous power in just a word, isn’t there?

Think for example of a word from God... at creation, for instance. God spoke... and it happened. Let there be light....!

Just a few words, but look at the power in those words.

Think, too, of Jesus when He was confronted by the demon-possessed. Just a word and they were cast out. He spoke and they fled. There was a storm and how did He still that storm?

Just with a word.

This power that there is in a word is not only so with God; it is also that way with man who is made in God's image, Of course the power in our words is nowhere near as great. But yet, there is great power in human words.

Just think, boys and girls, of the times you have upset someone. Just a nasty or rude word to a younger brother.... and he went off crying his eyes out.

Or perhaps they went away smiling and happy... all because you spoke a kind word.

It happens often, doesn't it, congregation?

A word to our neighbour... and it becomes the means of their conversion to Christ.

But we can also speak a word that makes them hostile... hostile to the Christian faith for life.

Perhaps we spoke a friendly word... and we gained for ourselves a Christian brother or sister.

Or perhaps we spoke a hasty and bitter word... and now there has been antagonism, animosity for years.

You see perhaps now why the Bible warns us to watch our language. Because of the power of just a word.

Because of the effect it can have for good... or for evil. That is why James spends nearly a whole chapter on this. And that is why Paul exhorts us in our text. Christian...... watch your language...!

A. THE NEGATIVE ASPECT

Let no evil talk come out of your mouth.

Notice that Paul begins with a negative remark:
        "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths...!”

Let's just begin by asking ourselves what Paul means by EVIL TALK.

Actually, the word Paul uses in the Greek is more meaningful.

It is a word used for rotten fruit and fish that has gone off. Foul.... putrid.... smelly.

It is the FILTHYNESS that Paul talks about in chapter 5 verse 4. The old King James Version had: CORRUPT COMMUNICATION. It is talk that is filthy and dirty.

Perhaps if Paul had been here today, he might have said: Don't use 'four-letter' words. Or: Stop that dirty talk, boys and girls.

And don't we NEED to be told that...?

Because we live in a world full of CORRUPT COMMUNICATION.

‘Hardly a book or film today without some bad language in it.

And our workmates and schoolfriends use it all the time.

And we so readily take it up ourselves in such situations.

Sometimes we, who are elders, hear it at home visits: "I find it so hard to watch my language at work."

Of course there are many other things included in EVIL TALK.

Blasphemy... using God's Name in vain.

I think most of us don't have too much trouble with that though.

We are offended when others use in vain the Name we hold dear.

Our problem is more often with that "good-old-Aussie-slang".perhaps even with the occasional four letter word...!

And Paul says: WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE.

And then, what about those off-colour jokes?

Or the stories that we wouldn't dare repeat at the dinner table?

And what about those times we engage in double talk?

You know - the kind of ambiguous statements we hear on comedy shows.

To the uninitiated and to the naïve it seems all so innocent. But it is really nothing but corrupt communication.

Let's just take all this one step further this morning/evening,

Remember that the word Paul uses is used for rotten fruit and fish.

Something that is not only foul and putrid, but useless.

It is worthless and good for nothing.

You wouldn't eat a rotten apple would you?

It goes in the garbage can or on the compost heap.

So we could really include all kinds of worthless talk.

Empty chatter... and the nonsense talk of our parties.

We do a lot of that don't we? Even over coffee after church.

There are times when we had best be quiet.

Please don't think for a moment that this is typical negativism.

It is not so that there is no place for humour, even adult humour.

It is not so that Christians shouldn't enjoy a good joke. Or that we shouldn't call a spade a spade when necessary.

All this shouldn't lead to unnecessary and stupid hang-ups.

What it does mean is that there is a time and a place for some of the things we say...!

And that there are some things we ought not to say at all. Sometimes we need to put our hand over our mouth... to be silent.

We are called to watch our language... our words... our speech.

And that, congregation, is never easy.

It isn't easy is it... you men?

Especially when you hit the wrong nail with the hammer!

And that string of foul words so easily comes to our lips.

It isn't easy is it... ladies? When the milk boils over your newly cleaned stove!

Then we are tempted to let fly with a few choice words.

And... what a temptation to pass on the latest dirty yarn sometimes.

What a temptation to pass on the latest bit of spicy gossip.

We as Christians need to constantly pray that prayer of Psalm 141:
     "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord,
       Keep watch over the doors of my lips.”

Perhaps, boys and girls, it might be an idea to copy that verse.

Make a wall text of it and hang it in your bedroom.

As a reminder to watch your language.

Better still: hang it in the kitchen.... then Mum and Dad can be reminded of it too.

Why is it, brothers and sisters, young people... that the Bible is so concerned about this matter?

Is it just to make life a little more difficult for God's people?

No! Just turn to verse 1 of this chapter.

There Paul tells us to live a life worthy of our calling.

(READ: Verse 1 of Chapter 4)

Paul, you see, is writing to Christians, people who confess Christ.

People who, because of the faith in the Saviour, are different.

They are renewed... changed people.

And Paul says that this renewal must now be seen in daily life.

Also in our words.

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths...!

Because that is inconsistent with a new creation in Christ.

That is why James spends a whole chapter on this matter.

That is why he speaks of a fountain with fresh water and salt.

And that is why Paul says in chapter 5 verse 4... that these things ARE NOT FITTING.

And then we have to stop and ask ourselves some questions:

Is that fitting?

Are four letter words worthy of our calling?

Is rough Aussie slang consistent with a new creation in Christ?

Are crude stories and jokes worthy of the Name of Jesus Christ?

Sometimes we hear people say: "Your speech gives you away".

Perhaps those of us who are migrants have often heard that.

Perhaps you young people know what I'm talking about too.

Because sometimes you have met someone of the opposite sex.

And you fellows have said: "My, what an attractive young lady."

Or perhaps you girls thought: "Isn't he a handsome fellow?"

You were impressed.

But then they opened their mouth and spoke...!

Rough, uncouth language...!

It showed what they were really like.

And it turned you right off.

Our speech gives us away.... it shows what we are.

We are different... and we are called to show that difference.

And also our language ought to show something....

....something of that new life in Christ.

Of course all this ties in very closely, too, with our Christian witness.

In vs.17 Paul has contrasted our way of life with that of the Gentiles, the unbelievers.

And in an unbelieving world full of corrupt communication...,

...we are called to show a renewed life-style also in our words.

Now that doesn't mean that we as Christians always have to go around saying to unbelievers who use bad language: "Tsk, tsk, musn't say naughty words!!" OR: "Please don't use that language when I'm around.

But we are first of all called to bear testimony by our example.

To show that Christians don't need to use words like that.

That we can communicate without resorting to all kinds of wrong words.

And then it is beautiful when that becomes an opportunity.

When people ask a young person: "Why do you never swear?"

Or when they ask us why we never tell crude stories and jokes.

Then it becomes an opportunity to share the Gospel.

On the other hand, if our language is no different...
  ...if it is the same as every other godless person we meet,...
   ...then they won't believe our claims to be Christians either.

People still expect Christians... or so-called religious people...
   ...to be different.... also in the way they speak.

Do others know from YOUR language that you are different?

Can they see a renewed life in the way you speak?

Perhaps it is for the sake of the Gospel that Paul says: Christian, watch your language!

B. THE POSITIVE ASPECT

“Only such as is good for upbuilding...!”

Let's look a little further into our text now.

Notice that there is not only just a negative side: "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths....!”

There is also the positive that Paul challenges us in: "But only such as is good for edification, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear."

Paul not only speaks of evil talk but also of what is good.

What is that? Good speech?

Does that mean going around quoting Bible texts all day?

Using biblical language and terminology?

Of course not! We can throw Bible texts at others in an evil way too.

Scripture here speaks of what is good.... FOR EDIFYING.

What does that mean boys and girls? EDIFYING?

Well, an edifice is a building. And edifying is building up.

In other words: let no evil talk come out of your mouths, BUT ONLY SUCH AS IS GOOD FOR BUILDING UP....!

Isn't that a good measuring stick to use for our speech...?

Is what we are saying CONSTRUCTIVE?

Are we building others up by what we are saying?

That's just where we fail so often in our speech.

It is not CON-structive, but DE-structive.

We are not building others up but taking them down a peg.

But our text challenges us to help others grow.

By our words to build them up morally and spiritually.

And not to tear them down by our bitter, cutting words.

Not empty talk that does no one any good....!

But only such as is good for edifying.

Perhaps we ought to tie that in to the bad language we spoke of too.

Does it build someone up when we pass on the latest dirty story?

Is it edifying when we use all kinds of words...

...words that should have no place in a Christian's vocabulary?

Are we building someone up by our empty chatter?

Notice, though, that our text goes further:

It says: "...as fits the occasion...!"

Or perhaps better: "...as the need may be...!"

In other words, our edifying speech ought to be directed to needs.

And aren't there a lot of needs amongst us?

There are those who are lonely.... lonely in the midst of people... ...and who will bring an upbuilding word of friendship?

There are those for whom the Christian faith is a real struggle... ...and who will bring a constructive word of encouragement?

This morning/evening we could mention all kinds of needs in our midst; the need of the sick, the bereaved, the jobless, the handicapped.

(Note to readers: Pick out those relevant for your congregation.)

Needs are all around us, everywhere.

And there is the power of the spoken word to do something about it.

However, I suppose that most likely we'll get out of church today...

And we'll just talk about the weather. The rain (or the heat).

And over our coffee we'll talk about the cricket (or the football).

And over dinner (or tea) the latest movie we saw on the telly.

And those needs we ought to address ourselves to, go by the board.

That doesn't mean we can't talk about the weather or sport or movies.

After all, we also have a need for companionship.

And friends ought to share in those things, too.

But the point is this: how sensitive are we to the needs of others?

Do we really want to do what our text encourages us to?

To speak words of edification as fits the needs of others?

Then we need to pray for a greater measure of sensitivity.

And we need to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our lips.

That He might give us the words to say... the message to bring.

It is sad but true that there is often such a torrent of words that cross our lips.

Words... words... and more words, and we just rave on and on.

But how much of it is upbuilding... constructive...?

How much of it meets the need of others?

Here, too, we need to watch our language.

The closing words of our text indicate our words of upbuilding are very much meant to be a means to an end.

It is so that they may impart grace to those who hear.

Grace can also mean help or assistance.

In other words, our speech can be a ministry... a help to others.

Of course we should be ready to do more than speak.

We should also be ready to help in other ways... in deeds too.

But this morning/evening we are challenged.... not to underestimate the power of the spoken word.

Yes... sometimes someone says the wrong thing to us... and our whole day is ruined and made sour for us.

But... how beautiful and upbuilding when we in our needs... receive that helpful word of encouragement...!

That can really make our day, can't it?

Our words... a ministry of grace... of goodwill and favour.

But did you realise that the word "GRACE" is most often used of God?

It is used most in the New Testament for God's favour to us. His help.... His goodwill....!

It is possible, then, to read these words another way too: "...that it may impart GOD's grace to those who hear...!"

Not just that our help and our care is extended, but that God's help and God's care come into the lives of others through our words too!

That, congregation, is a very humbling thought.

Our words of edification... as a channel of God's grace.

That it is God Himself doing His work through them.

He is building up His people and that through our words.

I guess, then, that the real issue in this verse is this: Are our words... and the language from our lips going to be the means of dishonouring the Lord God? Or are the words of our mouths going to be the means whereby God's blessing comes to others?

That, brothers and sisters, young people, boys and girls... is the free choice that confronts us again and again.. Either we can serve the devil with our corrupt communication, or we can become the channel for God's grace toward others.

What an awesome responsibility confronts us.

Our language... a power for good... or a power for the devil.

How we need to pray that we might not grieve the Holy Spirit.

Let's just look at one other portion of Scripture together.

Let us read Luke 4:22.

This is a passage that shows that here, too, Jesus is our example. But not only our example. Also that He did perfectly FOR US what we do so imperfectly.

Luke 4:22 "And all spoke well of Him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth."

Gracious words proceeded out of His mouth.

Gracious... not only because what He said was well spoken.

But especially because those words imparted grace to those who heard.

His words became a channel for God's saving grace.

It flowed through His words and was received by many.

He spoke... others heard, believed, and were saved for all eternity.

Is there any more wonderful way for our words to impart grace?

Isn't it wonderful when we speak an edifying word... an upbuilding word to an unbelieving neighbour...

and God uses that word to gather in another child of His.

I'm sure that most of us would love to have more opportunities ...in that way to impart grace to those who hear.

But then we must also begin more and more to train our lips.

To watch our language, that our speech is not powerful for evil, but powerful for good.

“Take my lips and let them be,
 filled with messages from Thee.”

AMEN.