Ephesians 5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks….
When I first seriously entered the ministry at the age of 30, I remember being as earnest and austere as some of the young men I have recently witnessed surrender their life to the call of God. Wanting so badly to represent the Lord (as I still do) this verse was a constant boon to my sense of self denial. No longer laughing at silly things. Rather I became rigid and staunch. Until one day my mentor and pastor sat me down to talk about art…
He began by asking if I was familiar with the famous painting depicting a man and a woman in front of a farm house with a pitch fork. I said “oh yes American Gothic!” So proud of myself that I knew the title of the piece. Dr. Brown (my mentor) then asked if I could recall the name of a similar piece of American art regarding an old woman dressed in black from neck to toe. Sitting in a rocking chair crowned with a lone white bonnet? Bolstered by the correct answer to the first question I blurted out “Oh of course, you mean Mother Moses!” He just giggled (as only Dr. Brown could) and lovingly said “ No Scott, no that is the name of an artist yes. But the name of the picture is Whistlers Mother.”
Knocked down a peg, my face must have betrayed my confusion. As Dr. Brown proceeded to explain why he had fished the thought of these images to the surface of our time together. He said, “Scott, those pictures are how most people see Christians. Humorless, stoic, without joy, or desire for engagement on any level. Other than that of the most devout and religious.” He then began to break down the differences between corrupt communications,(see vs29) filthy talk, or (course/crude) jesting. This DID NOT include Knock knock jokes. Lest they included sexually graphic, or explicit language. This did not prohibit laughter or the exclusion of all recognition of things that are… well, FUNNY!
Note the previous verse (vs3) eludes to sexual perversion and sin. Verse 5:29 is in context of tearing down another person. Our society has now adopted the stance that nothing hurtful can be funny. And it should be censored outright. Conveniently finding everything HURTFUL…
God would have the believer to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and fill our mouth with THANKSGIVING rather than degradation. While accepting the truth of Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Laughter is a gift my friends. Express your joy in Christ, smile a bit, and along with scripture, learn some cute jokes to share! Life is short… DOTG @dhbclv
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks….
When I first seriously entered the ministry at the age of 30, I remember being as earnest and austere as some of the young men I have recently witnessed surrender their life to the call of God. Wanting so badly to represent the Lord (as I still do) this verse was a constant boon to my sense of self denial. No longer laughing at silly things. Rather I became rigid and staunch. Until one day my mentor and pastor sat me down to talk about art…
He began by asking if I was familiar with the famous painting depicting a man and a woman in front of a farm house with a pitch fork. I said “oh yes American Gothic!” So proud of myself that I knew the title of the piece. Dr. Brown (my mentor) then asked if I could recall the name of a similar piece of American art regarding an old woman dressed in black from neck to toe. Sitting in a rocking chair crowned with a lone white bonnet? Bolstered by the correct answer to the first question I blurted out “Oh of course, you mean Mother Moses!” He just giggled (as only Dr. Brown could) and lovingly said “ No Scott, no that is the name of an artist yes. But the name of the picture is Whistlers Mother.”
Knocked down a peg, my face must have betrayed my confusion. As Dr. Brown proceeded to explain why he had fished the thought of these images to the surface of our time together. He said, “Scott, those pictures are how most people see Christians. Humorless, stoic, without joy, or desire for engagement on any level. Other than that of the most devout and religious.” He then began to break down the differences between corrupt communications,(see vs29) filthy talk, or (course/crude) jesting. This DID NOT include Knock knock jokes. Lest they included sexually graphic, or explicit language. This did not prohibit laughter or the exclusion of all recognition of things that are… well, FUNNY!
Note the previous verse (vs3) eludes to sexual perversion and sin. Verse 5:29 is in context of tearing down another person. Our society has now adopted the stance that nothing hurtful can be funny. And it should be censored outright. Conveniently finding everything HURTFUL…
God would have the believer to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and fill our mouth with THANKSGIVING rather than degradation. While accepting the truth of Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Laughter is a gift my friends. Express your joy in Christ, smile a bit, and along with scripture, learn some cute jokes to share! Life is short… DOTG @dhbclv
