foolishness and jesting

[irishman]

I have never heard from the pulpit

What is this "follish talking, and why do we not preach more about it? (as far as I can remember, which may not be much!) a mention of "foolish talking" or "Jesting" as mentioned in Eph. 5:4. What do you folks suppose that refers to?

I have an opinion, but it is only an opinion, and we all know what persoanl opinion is worth! That is the only time jesting is mentioned in the Bible, so there is not much to cross-referance.

so, what is "foolish talking" and "jesting" and why don't we hear preaching bout it?

[Seth Doty]

I have never heard from the pulpit

What is this "follish talking, and why do we not preach more about it? (as far as I can remember, which may not be much!) a mention of "foolish talking" or "Jesting" as mentioned in Eph. 5:4. What do you folks suppose that refers to?

I have an opinion, but it is only an opinion, and we all know what persoanl opinion is worth! That is the only time jesting is mentioned in the Bible, so there is not much to cross-referance.

so, what is "foolish talking" and "jesting" and why don't we hear preaching bout it?

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

As I see it, in this passage "filthiness" is speaking of a trashy or potty mouth, "foolish talking" is saying stupid things you wouldn't really do(like "I am going to kill you" etc.) and "jesting" in this context is almost certainly speaking of what we would call "dirty jokes".

[blossom]

I thought jesting was any kind joking???

[Seth Doty]

I thought jesting was any kind joking???

It can be, but in context it is speaking of vulgar jokes. Here is some of the surrounding text. Notice this passage is right in the middle of warnings against fornication etc.


Ephesians 5:3-17 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disOBedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

A good clean joke would not be a prOBlem and would not fit into the list of things this passage is warning about. Proverbs 17:22 says a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. God would not be against humor that does not go against his word. Biblically the kind of jokes God would be against would be dirty jokes(Ephesians 5:4), jokes that are deceitful( Proverbs 26:18-19) or cruel jokes(Ephesians 4:32).

[JerryNumbers]

Seth your right, but I'm amazed at the things some people will joke about.

I don't understand how any Christians can stand watching many of the shows on TV that are suppose to be funny, for they joke about things they should not.

I've got a sense of humor, but when they dip into the gutter my humor ceases.

[irishman]

It also mentions "vain words" and not being decieved by them. I wonder of ot could also refer to "good jokes" about sacred things? For instance jokes about Bible characters, or scriptures; making them funny when they are not, etc.

The old joke about no women in heaven (in sufferance to Rev. 8:1) for example.
Just wondering if this would be "foolish" jesting too? It is rather foolish not to treat the Word of God with the utmost respect, is it not?

[blossom]

Thank you Seth I see what you mean. I also agree with you Irishman, some of the bible based jokes seem highly irreverent to me too! Given the thiness of the line it is prOBably best not to tell those jokes at all.

[speerjp1]

I will speak from personal experience to give a demonstration of how I was convicted by this verse more than ten years ago.

When I was around 14 or 15 I got into the habit of adding the words "just kidding" to the end of almost every statement I made because hardly anything I said was ever said in seriousness. I would say things that were mostly unkind jokes that were pretty benign, but it often would go to far into sarcasm (which I also struggled with for a while).

I finally heard a preacher mention this passage in a sermon and, while I cannot remember his application, I can tell you that I was immediately convicted of the regular foolishness of my words and my constant joking. I was only 17 or 18 and it didn't take but a few days for the Lord to completely remove those two words from my regular vocabulary.

Now THAT was his power on display and I thank him often for giving victory in that area.

[HappyChristian]

There's this verse, too: Prov. 26:19 "So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?" (17 and 18 are: He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,)

I think this verse speaks very clearly to what you are referencing, speerj.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

There's this verse, too: Prov. 26:19 "So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?" (17 and 18 are: He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,)

I think this verse speaks very clearly to what you are referencing, speerj.

This vs is why I don't like "National Lie Day" (April Fools Day).

That's not to say that we don't have a sense of humor, I've been told that our family is a blast.