In Colossians 3 Paul urges the Colossians to "Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth" (Col 3:2). Fine. But ... just what does that look like? I mean, you can't just stop thinking about stuff here. Paul even says elsewhere, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim 5:8). We are still living in this world. So what does it look like?
Paul goes on to explain that we are to live here with a heavenly mind. On one hand, that's putting to death earthly sins (Col 3:5-9) and, on the other hand, putting on "the new self" (Col 3:10-17). There is an interesting phrase in this list of things we're to put away. He says we are to put away "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth" (Col 3:8). "Obscene talk," eh? Before we get too excited, other translations vary. The KJV says "filthy communication" and the NASB says "abusive speech." It is a single Greek word, αἰσχρολογία -- aischrologia -- made up of two Greek words. One is aischros, meaning shameful or base and the other (obviously) is logos which refers to anything spoken (or thought). So aischrologia is clearly about communication, but what kind of communication. I think aischros clearly covers that which is obscene, filthy, base, even abusive. So, the answer is, "Yes. All of the above."
If we are believers, those who have "died with Christ" (Col 2:20; 3:3), then we must have a new life, a new self. Our new selves must be reflected in our actions and attitudes. The old is dead. Of course, it's a slow death, isn't it? But we need to be putting that stuff to death (Col 3:5), putting it away (Col 3:8). And that would have a necessary impact on our communication with others. Are you verbally abusive? Do you make a practice of talking about the "obscene"? Or is your speech gracious (Col 4:6), filled with kindness, compassion, humility (Col 3:12) and, above all, love (Col 3:14)? Something to think about.
3 comments:
Sometimes Greek seems to have words like "eschew obfuscation" that do the opposite of making things clear.
It's probably not the right course of action, but I do find myself slipping into this kind of language in order to make a point. It's definitely something I've been mindful of for a while, but have slipped some on occasion.
The directives about our speech that you gathered from Colossians for this post reminded me of James chapter 3. We have probably all heard the reprimand, “You kiss your mother with that mouth?” James 3:9-11 might be paraphrased as, “You praise God with that mouth?” Very much an echo of these admonitions from Paul. I appreciate this reminder today to let my speech emanate from my new self and not the old. Refraining from “obscene talk” will certainly set us apart in today’s culture, that’s for sure!
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