Word on the Way - Commentary

Word on the Way is a passage sent out daily by Way.FM

Sometimes it is easier for me to understand the Bible by writing out my thoughts. This is part of my walk. If you read this I hope you get something out of it. Let He who created both you and me have the glory.

Tuesday, May 18
Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Two things stick out to me with this passage: abuse and encourage

Most of the time when we hear the command to not use 'foul' language we use it as 'fodder' for the legalistic 'cannon'. We use it to back up our human list of barely attainable commands. In other words when we read the passage above we some how interpret it as 'cussing'. We add 'cussing' to the 'Don't do' list and forget the implied 'do' list and ignore the deeper human need.

But I think the Translators really did a good job here. The language is described as foul and abusive. I believe that we often times do not take the time to really think about words (and to be honest that is what the passage is getting at). The word foul is very descriptive when you start to 'picture' it. What comes to your mind when you hear foul? How about: a dirty public restroom? an overflowing trash can? manure?

How do like your language being described as a public restroom?! And I'm not talking about 'cussing'. In a lot of ways cussing is only a symptom. Its a symptom of the cancerous negativity that we spew out on our 'neighbors'.

What about abuse? What comes to mind when you hear the word abuse? A drunk husband or father? How about a drug addict who abuses his body? Abuse is when someone who has control and power neglects the responsibility of that power and uses it for evil. Do you want your words to be abusive?

See the Lord said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples (John 13:35)." Foul language is abusive to the body of Christ, this is the opposite of love. We are all sinners and in desperate need of love. What we say is powerful and can express who we are inside. That is why Paul asks us to be encouraging. Why? Because when we mean it we are changed people. When we spend more energy on making sure that others are encouraged we will spend less energy on ourselves - on making sure we have the power. Our hearts will be changed.

See when the Gospel really enters into our daily lives we are compelled to love God for what He has done. When you love someone, you want to spend time with them. When you spend time with someone you love and respect you tend to become like them. This is what God wants. This is His 'will'. So, spend time with the Lord and you will learn to love your neighbor; because despite our sin, God is calling us into His presence and it is there that we will grow in the likeness of our Lord, absorbing His love for us. That love will compel us to go out in the world loving as He has loved us.