“Do
not judge, or you too will be judged.
For
in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you
use, it will be measured to you.
Why
do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention
to the plank in your own eye?
How
can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all
the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You,
hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
~
Matthew 7:1-5
“Brothers,
if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Carry
each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
If
anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Each
one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without
comparing himself to somebody else,
For
each one should carry his own load.”
~
Galatians 6:1-5
Based
on these two passages, we are to help our brothers by restoring them gently to
the path of our Father. On the journey, however, when we notice someone who is
straying, we are first to look at our own lives. Are we straying in the same
way? Is that why we have noticed the other? What do I need to do in my own life
first? Here, the process of restoring a brother begins by recognizing and
changing our own lives. Once we have purified our own lives, we are able to see
clearly to help our brother if he has not already been helped by seeing the
change in our own lives. In that case, direct confrontation may not even be
necessary any more. The power of a changed life is much greater than any words
we could have said beforehand—however true they may have been. To have said
them before examining our own lives would have been hypocrisy.
“But
among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of
impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Nor
should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving.
For
of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an
idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let
no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath
comes on those who are disobedient.
Therefore
do not be partners with them.”
~
Ephesians 5:3-7
What
qualifies as coarse joking? Foolish talk? These questions are where the battle
rages. Some topics are notably impure, and everyone recognizes them as such,
even if they continue to discuss them. Other topics, such as bathroom humor,
are less clear.
The
following are a couple definitions from Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary:
Definition
of COARSE
1
:
of ordinary or inferior quality or value : common
2
a (1) : composed of relatively large parts or particles <coarse
sand> (2) : loose or rough in texture <coarse cloth>
b
: adjusted or designed for heavy, fast, or less delicate work coarse
saw with large teeth>
c
: not precise or detailed with respect to adjustment or discrimination
3
:
crude or unrefined in taste, manners, or language
4
5
chiefly British : of or relating to coarse fish <coarse fishing>
— coarse·ly adverb
— coarse·ness noun
Definition
of JOKE
1
a
: something said or done to provoke laughter; especially :
a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twist
b (1) : the humorous or ridiculous element in something (2)
: an instance of jesting : kidding joke
>
2
:
something not to be taken seriously : a trifling matter
So,
how should believers determine what to talk about and what not to talk about?
Many ask, “Where is the line?” But, a better question is, “Does this topic
please the Lord?” Or “Does this conversation encourage the brothers?”
“For
you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of
light
(for
the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
And
find out what pleases the Lord.
Have
nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
For
it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
For
it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O
sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’
Be
very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
Making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore
do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Do
not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit.
Speak
to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in
your heart to the Lord,
Always
giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Submit
to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
~
Ephesians 5:8-21
“Devote
yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
And
pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may
proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Pray
that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Be
wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let
your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone.”
~
Ephesians 4:2-6
Thanksgiving and encouragement are taught many times over in God's Word. More than
10 New Testament passages exhort believers to encourage fellow believers.
Heb.
10:25 – “…but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.”
Heb.
3:13 – “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that
none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Tit.
2:15 – “Encourage and rebuke with all authority.”
Tit.
2:6 – “Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.”
Tit.
1:9 – “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so
that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
2
Ti 4:2 – “…rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
1
Th 5:14 – “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the
timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
1
Th 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in
fact you are doing.”
1
Th 4:18 – “Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
1
Th 3:2 – “…to strengthen and encourage you in your faith…”
Col
4:8 – “…and that he may encourage your hearts.”
Eph
6:22 – “…and that he may encourage you.”
Acts
15:32 – “… said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.”
Those
who indulge in coarse joking, foolish talk and obscenity may be a part of God’s
family, but 2 Timothy 2:14-26 paints a picture of the distinction between
articles in a large house—some for noble purposes and some for ignoble:
“Keep
reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about
words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
Do
your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not
need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Avoid
godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more
ungodly.
Their
teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
Who
have wandered away from the truth. They say the resurrection has already taken
place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Nevertheless,
God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord
knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord
must turn away from wickedness.’
In
a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood
and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
If
a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble
purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee
the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don’t
have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they
produce quarrels; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not
resentful.
Those
who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
And
that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has
taken them captive to do his will.”
What
is a believer to do when they find themselves in the midst of fellow believers
who are not speaking in a manner which glorifies God and edifies those who
listen?
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
~ Colossians 3:12-17
“Above
all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
~
1 Peter 4:8
“He
who covers over an offensive promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter
separates close friends.”
~
Proverbs 17:9
“A
man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
~
Proverbs 19:11
“If
your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two
of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
But
if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may
be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
If
he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to
listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
~
Matthew 18:15-17
“
‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is
permissible’—but not everything is constructive.
Nobody
should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
~
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
Now,
for the conclusion of the matter, here is an excellent verse to memorize and
live by:
“So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
~
1 Corinthians 10:31 ~
