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Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary on Ephesians 4: 29 the following: "We are here warned against corrupt communication; and directed to that which is useful and edifying, v. 29. Filthy and unclean words and discourse are poisonous and infectious, as putrid rotten meat: they proceed from and prove a great deal of corruption in the heart of the speaker, and tend to corrupt the minds and manners of others who hear them; and therefore Christians should beware of all such discourse. It may be taken in general for all that which provokes the lusts and passions of others. We must not only put off corrupt communications, but put on that which is good to the use of edifying. The great use of speech is to edify those with whom we converse. Christians should endeavour to promote a useful conversation: that it may minister grace unto the hearers; that it may be good for, and acceptable to, the hearers, in the way of information, counsel, pertinent reproof, or the like. Observe, It is the great duty of Christians to take care that they offend not with their lips, and that they improve discourse and converse, as much as may be, for the good of others. 5. Here is another caution against wrath and anger, with further advice to mutual love and kindly dispositions towards each other..."
Paul wrote the Hebrew Christian Congregation "You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. [fn] You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food" -- Hebrews 5:12
So, what, pray tell, is the reason for such a post here on 'Corrupt Communication'? In July of 2011, I had the personal blessing of the addition to our family of our daughter's first child, a grandson. He is most precious and most assuredly a blessing to all. Having spent some time with him and remembering the standard of behavior we, as parents, established for our daughter, it occurred to me that I have wandered far from those standards. They were standards based solely on God's Word without any private interpretation. The scripture at the top of this article is but one of those scriptures but surely it is a defining standard nonetheless. Matthew Henry's commentary [above]really embraces the Greek definitions of the word 'corrupt' [sapros]. According to Strong's it is defined: rotten, putrefied; 2) corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out; 3) of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless. Under no circumstances would a conscientious Christian desire indulgence in 'putrefied' communication or be considered no longer fit for use or worthless.
When one prays to God for Holy Spirit to discipline them and fill their heart with the love of HIS law one cannot -- in GOOD FAITH -- expect there to be anything but an immediate revelation of the sin within. By HIS Word HE disciplines. Ephesians 4:29 & 30 leaves the honest self examining Christian no wiggle room; if one indulges in 'swearing' or use of expletives one has allowed at least their communication to no longer be fit for use as a Christian. Immediate prayer for work with our Paraclete, our mentor, our friend the Holy Spirit to cleanse the corruption from our own spirit is as immediately responded to.
In doing some research a discovery was made that use of 'swear' words is so ingrained in our minds that even when someone has forgotten how to speak the swear words are still available to them! Obviously, it would be some heavy lifting to remove the words from our vocabulary if left to our own devices, but, by prayerful petition of the Holy Spirit we do rest assured that our effort is met with great assistance.
It has been a week now since beginning the reversal of the corruption by way of expletives. I have slapped myself on the mouth more times than I can remember as the corruption exits my mouth. Sometimes I am so caught up in the moment that has evoked a response that the words pour from my mouth autonomous of my own 'thinking'. As the week has progressed I have been so excited to see the progress. It is a long rehabilitation as the world around us is filled with corrupt communication of all types be that pour speech patterns in expletives or their euphemisms or the more direct understanding of corrupt communication in what someone presents as 'truth'. Embellishing is another facet of this corruption but is for another day. All part of what needs to be addressed but subordinate now to the complete eradication of all expletives. A return to the time when we heard a swear word we would whence in discomfort.
While I want my grandson to see his grandparents as Godly people, Christians in all their ways, it is not for him that I am personally committed to correction of the corruption. It is to my God that I am first and foremost accountable and so it is to HIM I seek sanctification by pure speech. My grandson provided the impetus and is surely blessing me by his presence in my life on many levels and in no small way in reaffirming my spiritual backbone. There can be nothing but blessings to him because he blesses others.
Today, the larger picture, we are living in an ever increasing world of corruption and it is easy to be caught up and away in the wall of corrupt waters that daily inundates us from all sorts of stimuli making it difficult to grab hold of something to gain footing and extricate ourselves from within. Yet, Christians are mindful of the Holy Spirit's part in the miracle of the Red Sea. Holy Spirit parted the waters then and can surely make way for us to reach solid footing in God now.
One of my favorite scriptures is a wonderful visual between a Father and his child: "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." -- Isaiah 41:13
While that scripture is extrapolated -- or 'cherry picked' as some would say -- from the context of the verses around it -- it is not out of context. God is promising no matter what would befall HIS people HE was right there holding their hand!
Can you feel your tiny little hand in HIS?
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