Liars Or Living Letters? (1994)

LIARS OR LIVING LETTERS?

Text: Colossians 3:5-9a

In the Walt Disney movie "Pinnochio" there is a scene where Pinnochio's nose grows every time he tells a lie. And the point of that scene is that the more you lie, the more you have to lie to make all your stories sound as if they were based on the truth.

We often think about lying in the context of telling something that is contrary to the truth to someone else and to God. But, the lies that we overlook are the lies that we tell ourselves, which is clear cut denial. It is possible for us to tell ourselves something that is not true for so long until we believe that it is. Some of the best rumors in the world are made of that kind of material.

The Bible makes it clear that nothing shall be hidden that will not be revealed.

When Paul wrote this section of his letter to the church at Colosse, he was naming sins that were uncomfortable

but necessary for mentioning for the sake of the truth. This morning, the category that we shall focus upon is the ethics of true Christian speech. It is a painful issue but a necessary issue. Christian speech involves kindness, purity and truth as the three elements of godly speech for Christians. Take away any of those three and you are in danger of being a liar when the Bible makes it clear that we are to be living letters for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

CHRISTIAN SPEECH MUST BE KIND

Kindness is the opposite of meanness.

Being kind is connected to being friendly. Kindness and friendliness can be exhibited through words as well as. Actions. There is more to speech than just words. The tone of a person's voice can indicate whether or not they are in a bad mood or a good mood.

I used to lead a youth Group in my previous appointment where the kids would sometimes say some things to each other that were unkind. I asked them not to do that to each other. But, it went on anyway. Finally, I sat them all down and told them that if they could not say anything kind to each other, then they should not say anything at all.

Kindness looks at the positive in people.

It is simply impossible to be sympathetic with someone if the people in a relationship do nothing but nag each other about the other's faults. Far too often, people are so busy looking for the bad in others instead of the good. When we do that, it is almost always possible for us to "think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think" (Romans 12:3). Why? Well, why are we so busy looking for the bad in others in the first place. Obviously, that is not true for everyone. But, there are people who fit that category. If that category should fit us, then we need to ask ourselves what it is that we hope to gain by "thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think" (Romans 12:3)? How can we truly offer ourselves as holy and living sacrifices when we are conforming to the worldly patterns (Romans 12:1-2) exalting ourselves while putting others down? Are we commending the ministry of Christ or ourselves when we act like that (2 Corinthians 3:1)? Paul said to the people of Corinth, that they we his "living letters of commendation" (2 Cor. 3:1). They were not letters commending themselves or Paul, but the ministry of Jesus Christ. And that is a ministry of love, kindness, humility, purity and the truth in the name of Christ. "Love must be sincere" (Romans 12:9). And if we avoid selfish ambition (Philipians 2:3), but do not "hate what is evil and cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9), then we are not going to be devoted to one another in brotherly love wherein we will authentically honor one another above ourselves (Romans 12:9 paraphrased).

Here is a test that will determine whether your speech is both Christian and kind. "Is it worthy of repeating? Is it true and kind? Is it necessary?" (William Barclay. The Daily Study Bible Series. The Letters to The Philipians, Colossians and Thessolonians. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975, p. 153).

CHRISTIAN SPEECH SHOULD BE PURE

Purity is the opposite of corrupt.

This principle makes it clear that it is not pure speech when we swear at someone or tell them where to go. That does not mean that everybody is perfect. But, it does mean that we should strive to avoid using language that is inappropriate. Here is a good test. Is what you say, something that could be repeated in Church? Is what you say something that could be repeated by children without causing them to get in trouble with their parents.