It's time for the Friday focus, how would you respond. Today's focus is going to be on Paul's words from Ephesians 5:4, with a particular focus on our language and use of words. In this verse, Paul asserts that Christians are not to engage in filthy talk, foolish talk, or crude joking. Since we take the word of God as exactly that, let's dive in a little bit to set the stage for our "How would you respond?"
You're in the parking lot after worship and the gathering of the saints on a Sunday. There are a couple of guys discussing the college football game from the day before. You know they are big fans of the local college team, and some things happened that they weren't too happy about. As you pass them on your way to the car, you hear a few explicit words coming from their mouths about the coach, the team, the refs, you name it.
As a Christian, who is supposed to take God's Word seriously, how do you respond to this? Sure, it's in the parking lot, where it's unlikely that many sensitive ears will be. You also may happen to agree with some of the assessments they are making about the various individuals. You also know that, if you approach them, there could be some kind of consequences, either in what they think of you, or in calling them out.
So how do you respond to this situation? And as you consider that, I would even throw this out there too. Even if it wasn't on the church property, but perhaps in the context of a coffee break at work with a fellow Christian, how would you respond? Are there times where it would actually be better to let things slide, rather than address the situation? I look forward to seeing what you think as we consider how we would respond to this particular type of situation.
You're in the parking lot after worship and the gathering of the saints on a Sunday. There are a couple of guys discussing the college football game from the day before. You know they are big fans of the local college team, and some things happened that they weren't too happy about. As you pass them on your way to the car, you hear a few explicit words coming from their mouths about the coach, the team, the refs, you name it.
As a Christian, who is supposed to take God's Word seriously, how do you respond to this? Sure, it's in the parking lot, where it's unlikely that many sensitive ears will be. You also may happen to agree with some of the assessments they are making about the various individuals. You also know that, if you approach them, there could be some kind of consequences, either in what they think of you, or in calling them out.
So how do you respond to this situation? And as you consider that, I would even throw this out there too. Even if it wasn't on the church property, but perhaps in the context of a coffee break at work with a fellow Christian, how would you respond? Are there times where it would actually be better to let things slide, rather than address the situation? I look forward to seeing what you think as we consider how we would respond to this particular type of situation.
I would probably say, "Come on, brothers, let's watch our language." If the group were not Christians or people I know personally, I would say nothing and keep moving. But I have met people, especially older women, who would tell strangers to watch their language, especially if children were around. Once, when I was a young man, I told a guy to watch his bad language, and he responded angrily. We were then involved in a fist fight, which I won (but I lost as many as I won during those days as a punk kid from NY and a Marine). I used to react when other guys cursed around women and children, and it caused me a few tumbles in the dirt back then. I am more mellow now, self controlled, and besides....nobody gets into my face because I am now an old man, almost 70, with white hair and the usual wrinkles.
ReplyDeleteIDK. I use 'bad' language sometimes myself. I justify it by saying I really don't mean it. I'm just saying 'bad' words in the heat of the situation. I don't really mean what the words are saying. They are just sounds I am making out of habit and I don't mean what the words are really saying. I tell myself not to do this, but sometimes in the heat of the moment I can't help it.
ReplyDelete