Words of my mouth

Eph 5:1-12  Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.  2  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.  3  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people.  4  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  5  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  6  Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.  7  Don't participate in the things these people do.  8  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  9  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.  10  Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.  11  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.  12  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.

Yesterday we looked at Col 4 and discussed the need to have gracious, attractive conversation. Today I want to take that further. We know that in the presence of unbelievers our speech can hurt our testimony. However, some of us find it funny to be course within our circle of "Christian" friends. Read vs 4 and vs 12 again. Our Heavenly Father does not find sin funny. He says it is "shameful".

My wife is involved with an organization named, "Blush". The goal of this group is to reach young girls (3rd - 12th) grade with the truth and need for modesty. Our young people do not know what it is to blush. They feel no shame and so we have children taking pictures of themselves naked and posting them on the internet and sending them via phone messages. We have grade schoolers participating in orgies and all kinds of sexual perversion. We have church going children doing these things and seeing nothing wrong with them. The point here is not to lay blame, but it is a fact that children mimic what they see and hear. What are they hearing in your conversation? Is adultery, homosexuality, fornication all just a joke? God says it's shameful. If your children perceive it is funny to you, in other words, if you make jokes about it, how far will they carry it in their lives?

Today, pray with the Psalmist Psa 19:14  "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." And in your prayers pray for our children. Pray for holiness and godly desire to be restored to our families and churches.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr