Unwholesome talk

1 Tim 1v4:” and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These things promoting controversies rather than God’s ongoing purpose, which involves faith. 5 the goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.”

The deep and precious teaching that God has intended for the edification of His bride has sadly been distorted to the point where getting to the essence of a godly principle has become a laborious endeavor.  It’s no wonder that our fellow believers find themselves reading the bible and struggling to grasp its life-changing meaning. 

I am a firm believer that things need to be grasped or understood.  I have seen people with a massive academic ability that can memorize entire chapters of the Bible and still really battle to explain what it means in practical daily living.  Learning something word for word does not always mean it can be practically lived out.  Understanding on the other hand becomes a way of thinking and does not need to be learned because it becomes a part of our thinking process.

The truth is that we are encouraged in Romans 12v2 to renew our minds daily so we are able to discern God’s will for us.  This definitely implies an active learning, comprehension and application of biblical content we learn every day. 

After reading Ephesians 6v12 for what seemed like the thousandth time I dug into it with some curiosity and discovered that the way I thought about it since 1990 was actually incorrect or perhaps more aptly inaccurate.  I had rediscovered a few essential truths.  The Holy Spirit is definitely an active part of our learning process form scripture.  He opens up our understanding to truth in Gods word as we become ready for it.

Living in a relationship with another person (like the Holy Spirit) is something that cannot be taught.  It should ideally be experienced.  Still, I feel a need to make an effort to help us understand how to vet teaching so that we are sure that it is achieving Gods intended purpose for us.  I am reminded of verses like Matthew 7v16 that speaks of people being known by their fruit, and 1 Corinthians 14v3 that says that prophecy is intended to edify, exhort and uplift.  In the same way, I believe that teaching should fit into its intended place in our lives.

Lets then crack open Ephesians 4v29: “so not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful or building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

In the classic sense, unwholesome will refer to anything that does not contribute to our growth. In contrast, the word helpful comes from the origins of “agathos” that stand beside other synonyms like distinguished or salutary.   I understand a salute to be a sign of respect among members of Police or armed forces.  In addition, discussions should be helpful.  This in my mind means to encourage growth in them.   The King James version ends this verse with the words “it may minister grace unto hearers”

To minister grace makes reference to “exerting his holy influence upon souls (strong-lite concordance).  This final portion of the verse brings it together quite nicely.  Lets then recap in laymen’s terms and make this blog easy to understand.

Simply said all of our discussions or teaching from or around the Bible should ideally be respectful and be taught in love (especially when it corrects) and should also extend grace to those we speak with.  It should ultimately promote a better and growing relationship with the Lord God.  Any and all teaching around the Bible should bring us full circle to the Lord’s greatest commandment.  We are commanded to love the Lord above all else and our neighbour as we love ourselves.  Any teaching about Gods word that does NOT bring us back to a place where we love, honour, and respect our Creator in a greater way should be seen as unwholesome teaching and, in my opinion, does not belong in the day of any of God’s children.