How do you interpret this verse?

[PacificRedd]

In Ephesians 5:4 it says "and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." How do you interpret this?

I've always been curious to what other people thought when they read this. I've always had a hard time dealing with this verse because as a guy and being a a men's dorm - all you hear is 'coarse' joking. Things that I don't see how they could be bad ... the jokes imply anatomy etc. and I don't see how it is wrong. If it was a very descriptive sexual joke talking about women's anatomy or sexual intercoarse with a woman then I could see - but when guys are joking around all the time about group showers etc ... is that bad?

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by PacificRedd
In Ephesians 5:4 it says "and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." How do you interpret this?

I've always been curious to what other people thought when they read this. I've always had a hard time dealing with this verse because as a guy and being a a men's dorm - all you hear is 'coarse' joking. Things that I don't see how they could be bad ... the jokes imply anatomy etc. and I don't see how it is wrong. If it was a very descriptive sexual joke talking about women's anatomy or sexual intercoarse with a woman then I could see - but when guys are joking around all the time about group showers etc ... is that bad?

Not to be evasive, but that's one of those questions that you need to seek the Holy Spirit about. It's too subjective to get a concrete answer from any person other than God.

[Singlesis]

I try to ask myself this regarding jokes, movies, etc.

If Jesus were sitting next to me, would I be doing/saying/watching this?

Guess what? He is !!!! If you are saved, the Holy Spirit is with you wherever you go!!

Jesus Christ: The invisible guest at every party; the silent listener to every conversation.

[Green House]

What Singlesis said is brilliant...I mean that really sums it up. I will add one thing. I think it is important to use our time wisely. If we are saved, we should put energy to bring other people to salvation. One of our best witnesses is our not being "of the world". When people see that we are reflective and concerned about others...that we have unfeigned love for our fellow man...then they will be influenced.

[Bondservant]

The text is pretty clear. If you are a believer you are not to get involved with what it says. When the guys are telling thier dirty jokes are you laughing along with them ? Are you putting being a "part of the crowd" to be accepted above being set apart for the Lord? If they know you are a Christian, do they see a difference in you ? You are to seperate yourself from that kind of stuff...obviously the Holy Spirit is making you question this for a reason.

[antsinmypants]

Just like it says elsewhere in the bible... "Let your words be few"... "Many words are a sign of a fool..."


:thumb

[D'Light]

...let your words be few.

I have always kind of been like this, not really that it was intentional. I just never was one to do alot of chit-chat about nothing or stupid things. I guess I always talked when needed or about actual topics. But I think some people find me boring for this. I try to include myself in a little more humor than I used to.:confused

[RedBall]

Originally posted by D'Light
...let your words be few.

I have always kind of been like this, not really that it was intentional. I just never was one to do alot of chit-chat about nothing or stupid things. I guess I always talked when needed or about actual topics. But I think some people find me boring for this. I try to include myself in a little more humor than I used to.:confused

Hey, that's me! I'm a lot like Paul Dirac that way.

[D'Light]

Redball............do you find it, that if you are not always joking and being sill or talking about movies that don't mean anything, then they may find you boring. I feel this way sometimes, but I just don't want to discuss and laugh about things I find redicuous. :confused

[Jacob]

Originally posted by PacificRedd
In Ephesians 5:4 it says "and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." How do you interpret this?

I've always been curious to what other people thought when they read this. I've always had a hard time dealing with this verse because as a guy and being a a men's dorm - all you hear is 'coarse' joking. Things that I don't see how they could be bad ... the jokes imply anatomy etc. and I don't see how it is wrong. If it was a very descriptive sexual joke talking about women's anatomy or sexual intercoarse with a woman then I could see - but when guys are joking around all the time about group showers etc ... is that bad?
First, interpret the verse in light of its context. Verse 1 starts out by saying "Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love just as Christ loved you." Further back in the context, in chapter 4, Paul states that we should "no longer walk as the Gentiles (unbelievers) walk..."
Verse 4 warns against "immorality, impurity..." etc even being mentioned about us.

Does this locker room talk imitate the character of God? Does this locker room talk cause you to be like the unbelievers around you? Or is there something about your speech, in the words that you use as well as the words that you don't use, that distinctly makes you different from the others? (lessons for us all).

Paul says in Philippians: "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, and whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is of good repute; if there is any excellence, and anything worthy or praise, let your mind think on these things."

[katt]

She put it like this..

If you're sitting around w/friends shooting the breeze and when you come away if you haven't said anything that brings praise or glory to God.. or have done or said nothing that brings your mind to God..or have not done or said anything that helps further The Kingdom Of God..

then your whole conversation has been for naught and you have wasted your time..

and not to do it..

That's what this verse means..;):

[bopeep1909]

This is the interpretation from The MacArthur Study Bible(his is a very good pre-trib teacher).

Ephesians5:4 not fitting. These 3 inappropriate sins of the tongue include any speech that is obscene and degrading or foolish and dirty, as well as suggestive and immortal wit. All such are destructive of holy living and godly testimony and should be confessed, forsaken, and replaced by open expressions of Thankfulness to God(cf.Col.3:8).

[RedBall]

Originally posted by D'Light
Redball............do you find it, that if you are not always joking and being sill or talking about movies that don't mean anything, then they may find you boring. I feel this way sometimes, but I just don't want to discuss and laugh about things I find redicuous. :confused

The first thing people say about me is, "wow, you're so quiet!", just because I'm not yammering on about sports or the weather. I hate chit chat. I usually just answer people's questions.

[snowbird]

Have you checked into getting a room off campus.

[2bossy]

Of course, not joining in the conversation is one option, but people could get the wrong idea if you're just sitting there like a sullen, grumpy bump on a log. You could always change the subject to something you DO consider worth while. ;):

[PacificRedd]

No, I haven't sonsidered that and won't because I really feel and know God wants me here and He has made it possible. It's not so much that it's a huge problem ... I've always just had a hard time understanding if it was wrong or not ... usually I stay away from saying things and jokes that are like that.

The reason I have a hard time understanding is because it's not jokes that are really bad -- they are usually people saying these that sound gay .... like "hey, don't drop that soap" cause' we have group showers ... stuff like that. I live on a Christian campus ... though most of the christians here are name only and not dedicated to their faith there is a good chunk of people who are - I'm guessing probably around 70 people out of the 640 or so that go here.

I like what you said Katt ... makes a lot of sense. I ask myself that a lot --- what have I do today to make a difference for Christ? Did I make a difference? Was it a waste of a day?

Thanks for all you're answers!