Connecting With Jesus

Things “Not Fitting” Christians

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4 NKJV)

Here is the only place in the entire Bible where “foolish talking” and “coarse jesting” are ever mentioned, and Paul condemned them along with things that should “not even be named among you.” (v. 3)

We should always interpret a text in context with the texts surrounding it. This chapter urges us to be “imitators of God” and “walk in love.” The reason? Because “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (v. 1-2).

Verse three continues: “But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]” (v 3 AMP).

Next is our text for today, followed by, “For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God]” (v 5 AMP).

It is significant that the one reference in the Bible to “jesting” is a warning against it. It’s also significant that we never find joking or jesting in Christ’s sermons, Paul’s letters, or anywhere else in Scripture.

Because sin and salvation are serious, sober issues, the Bible writers found nothing about them that required frivolity. The Bible mentions Jesus weeping but says nothing about Him laughing, although I’m certain He did. The Bible often refers to “rejoicing,” but doesn’t talk about “having fun.”

Furthermore, Jesus warned that “every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matt 12:36), and Paul encouraged us to “let your speech always be with grace” (Col 4:6).

Today’s text says that jesting and foolish talking are “not fitting” for a Christian. Other things “not fitting” include the list of 23 sins in Romans 1:28-31 that begins with “unrighteousness” and ends with “unmerciful.”

Perhaps we can justify certain “fitting” times for jesting, but we can always be certain that the “giving of thanks” is proper.