Sunday, June 4, 2017

Ephesians 5:4 - No more fountain of filth

"...also [not] shamefulness and foolish talk or vulgar talk, which were not fitting, but rather more, thanksgiving."

-Our words.  That which comes out of our mouth proceeding straight from our hearts.  Words convey to all who hear who we really are, what we are like, what we value, what is important - to us, and what should be to others.  Scripture (and Creation itself for that matter) make it abundantly clear that clean (living) water and dirty polluted water cannot usher forth from the same fountain.  Filthy words, foul words, false words, foolish words, words which distract and deceive and destroy - these do not come out of a clean heart.  We either give God control of our tongue and let Him clean up our words, or we need to consider whether we even have a new clean heart in the first place.

-No, rather than filthy foul foolish false words above all else there should be giving of thanks.  Gratitude.  Gratitude acknowledges provision, and tunes hearts to the positive.  It recognizes and affirms goodness.  An attitude which says, yes this is good and I am satisfied, and that ultimately because God really is enough.  No matter what I have, whatever my lot, God is sufficient, He is more than enough and He is better.  He really does work all things for good.  With thanksgiving I reflect the kind of unselfishness and humility that is in perfect keeping with an awareness of an immanent almighty God.  As much as any speech uttered by God’s people, there ought to be words of thanksgiving, gracious words which do acknowledge and affirm goodness - good deeds, good effort, good intentions, goodness in others and in the world and from the hand of our faithful Creator Who has daily displays His breathtaking goodness for all who have an eye to see.

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