Out of Place

Ephesians 5:4

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

Diving deeper into what we learned yesterday and on March 30, today’s verse might step on some toes! Ouch! Yes, even my own. All of us can learn something from Paul’s instruction to us.

Those of us who have been in prison know there is special, very negative significance to the words “out of place”. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time generally has bad consequences. Similarly, there is a kind of talk the world participates in that should not be a part of a Christian’s life. For us, that kind of talk would be out of place.

Our lives are a constant sermon to those around us. Our words and actions demonstrate where we are in our Christian maturity and how we are progressing in our being renewed by the Word, Spirit and Christ Jesus.

While it may seem natural to complain, joke and talk foolishly like the world does around us, we must desire to please God rather than try to “fit in”. In fact, while we are still “in” the world, as Christians, we are no longer “of” this world. People should hear and see that we are indeed different, and they should be attracted to Christ as a result.

Let us be voluntarily accountable to our Christian brothers and sisters for the words we speak. Let’s ask someone to privately and lovingly point out any unwholesome speech.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Tell the Father you want to properly represent Him and His Kingdom in the way you converse with others. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you find someone to whom you will be accountable, and ask them for their help.

Dive Deeper: Study Ephesians 5.