Jesting

I was reading Ephesians and came upon the word "jesting." Do you know what it means? Is it sinful? According to Paul, it is not something followers of Christ should be doing. So I was curious if I am guilty. Here are the verses pertaining to jesting, “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” (Ephesians 5:3-7).

I have to admit I had never stopped to think about the word jesting until the other day. After all, I know what fornication, all uncleanness, foolishness, and covetousness mean in the biblical verse, but I have always skipped over the word 'jesting' because I didn't think it applied to me. After all, I'm not guilty of those other things, so I've always assumed I must not be guilty of jesting either. I was about to unconsciously skip over the word again when my spirit spoke out within my mind, "Wait! Jesting. What is jesting?" So I looked into it. I learned some things that I would like to share with you because the Bible says that it (jesting) should not be named once among the saints. Because of the context in which Paul wrote Ephesians 5:4, we must conclude it resides within a discussion of ABSTINENCE from sexual temptations, jesting being one of those. What do I mean? Let me first define each word Paul addresses:

1. Fornication refers to any consummate sexual act outside of the marriage bond.

2. Uncleanness refers to acts which are less than fornication, but still sexual in nature.

3. Covetousness in this context refers to thoughts and lusts regarding uncleanness and fornication.

Remember, the very first thing forbidden to covet in the Ten Commandments is one’s neighbor’s wife (Exodus 20:17). Covetousness can, therefore, have reference to sexual desire as well as the desire for physical things and this context bears that out. Subsequent to the Bible text in question we have a repetition of the same warnings regarding fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness. Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom and cannot be a part of God’s kingdom. They are as things which do not become saints Paul says! Those who practice such things merit the wrath of God. Those who practice such things are partakers with the children of disobedience. The Christian is admonished in the Bible not to be part of this type of mentality. Unfortunately, I have been guilty of jesting without realizing it was referred to in scripture. I think the Lord pointed this out to me because it has been completely overlooked by the saints of the Church and He wants to correct this error because such things do not represent children of God. Jesting is basically a double-meaning where something seemingly innocent is said, but it really has a second meaning that is sexual in nature. One meaning is usually shocking or risqué in its sexual suggestiveness. Another way or word of understanding jesting as described in Ephesians 5 is INNUEND0. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways. Ephesians also points out another kind of speech as well. The ESV Bible translates this verse as follows: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” What Christian reading this blog is still telling or listening to dirty jokes or sending the opposite sex flirtatious, unclean innuendos? 

What about the words filthiness or foolish talk? The word “filthiness” is a translation of a word that some scholars say is limited to speech. This is the only place where this word is found in the New Testament and it is within the context of speech. It has as part of its base the same stem that makes up the Greek word that we translate “shameful” and given the context, the shame would be in association with unlawful promiscuity. It is also rarely used in classical Greek as well and when it is, has reference to things that are lascivious in nature. Lasciviousness is wickedness, lewdness, and lustfulness. There is lasciviousness all around us. It’s all over the Internet, especially pornography web sites. It’s in magazines, movies, song lyrics, social media sites, etc. We hear about it even in schools and our workplace. Bad parents are letting their children indulge in lascivious behavior and immodest dressing. It is a sin that comes from the heart and before our eyes, we are starting to see it corrupt Christianity. It is excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, worldliness, dressing sensually, sexual immorality and all who practice these things will not enter Heaven. We are seeing these things creep into Christianity because of false teachers and false believers. People who profess Jesus as Lord are turning the grace of God into lasciviousness. People think they can be saved and live like the devil. Wrong! Even the demons believe! Scripture makes it clear you will know them by their fruits. We are not to be like the world, we are to be different. We are to seek holiness. We are not to dress in a way that causes others to stumble. We are to be imitators of God, not culture. That includes refraining from sexual jokes.

The phrase “foolish talk” is a translation of one Greek word and is a fairly straightforward and literal translation. In this context, foolish talk would be anything that might embroil one in a situation where one would be tempted to commit some kind of sexual sin... obscene stories, coarse jokes, silly, vile remarks, etc. This word also is only used this one time in the New Testament of the Bible and its context would seem to define for us what it is referring to. In today’s world, we are seemingly bombarded endlessly with such nasty speech but Christians are falling into that trap as well.  Unfortunately, it comes to us from our work environment, from the places where we socialize, from our own television sets during popular sitcoms–there seems to be no end to the number of ways that men and women today can joke regarding things that are best left discussed in the privacy of the bedroom of a husband and wife. As Christians let's resolve to rid our minds of such thoughts and should we have such thoughts to never let them pass through our lips. And if we have been guilty of speaking in such a way in the past, let us strive to do better in this regard. Let us be careful in not posting questionable jokes or cartoons that would cause the world to doubt our professed Christianity. Let me add, in contrast to this type of base humor, there is nothing wrong with humor that is instructive and decent in nature. This passage does not deal with all kinds of humor, only with the kinds that involve matters of sexual promiscuity. For a Christian to tell a perfectly innocent joke to another Christian is often fun and can be instructive if the joke has a certain point that is being made regarding a particular kind of behavior. In closing, as Paul instructs the Church, do not allow jesting to be once named among you, as becometh saints. This was the message given to me when I read Ephesians 5.

Until He comes,

-Pat-