Dakota Community Church
Ephesians 57, Grace at Work 27
October 6, 2013
Words of Grace
Ephesians 4:25-30
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
We are given six behaviors we are to discontinue - because they destroy unity.
We are given six replacement behaviors which will foster and protect unity.
All of these behaviors are to be seen in the light of the gospel.
Because of what God has done for us in Christ - we ought to do...
To date we have covered:
1. Instead of lying; speak truth
2. Instead of outbursts of wrath; righteous anger
3. Instead of stealing; working and contributing
4. Instead of gossip and slander; encouraging, grace filled words
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:29-30)
What is “corrupting talk”? Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths
The RSV translates it, "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths."
The NIV and NASB use the word "unwholesome."
The KJV says, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth."
What is this idea behind the words, "evil," "unwholesome," and "corrupt"?
The Greek word (sapros) is used in only one other context in the New Testament, namely, the places in Matthew and Luke where Jesus says, "It is not the good tree that bears bad fruit."
The term for "bad" fruit here is the same word for evil or unwholesome or corrupt.
The image in Paul's mind is one of rottenness and decay, something that is spoiled.
I pray this every time I preach, imagine how important it is that the preached word not be “bad”
If you have ever been the victim of a fellow Christians “Corrupt communication” you know how painful that can be. Keep in mind that the topic Paul is addressing in this passage is unity. When these things happen we must first ask, “Is what is being said about me true?” If so repent and be forgiven. If not lean on God for the strength to deal with it graciously.
Paul is saying that this kind of rotten language must be taken off like the old garment.
The garment of a rotten mouth must be taken off and thrown into the fire.
- Have you been the guilty party in these “corrupting talk” kinds of scenarios?
- Are you a gossip?
- Are you a liar?
- Do you cover for your own insecurities by tearing others down?
In our fallen nature we tend toward leniency when considering ourselves and towards harshness when considering the offenses committed by others, especially those committed against us.
I want to take a moment to lay down the law on this topic so you do not give yourself room to wiggle out from under the seriousness of this situation.
i.e. - “Come on people suck it up and have a sense of humour.”
Consider Jesus’ teaching on corrupt words:
Matthew 15:1-19
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 12:33-37
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
So then is Jesus saying that people will be justified by speaking positive words?
How are you doing? “Good and getting better!”
No that is silly. Only the good person is justified in this case, and who is that?
Who has a heart filled with good treasure?
Who never brings forth evil out of His heart’s treasure?
Who never utters a bad word, who never speaks a careless word?
Luke 18:18-26
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
We’re back to law and gospel aren't we?
Those who are “in Christ” are saved by His perfect speech!
