In the lectionary epistle reading for this Sunday (Ephesians 4:25-5:2), Paul offers concrete suggestions on the nature of the Christian life. This practical advice is for those who, in the previous passage, are called to leave behind the old life apart from Christ and enter into the new life Jesus offers. While this passage includes general instructions about Christian living, in my first several readings of the text I was captivated by the appeal to beneficial speech and the warning against the misuse of anger.
The text begins with a call to the right use of language. Words are powerful. They create worlds. We know this theologically. Genesis 1 tells how God spoke the cosmos into being. From the chaotic, formless void, God verbalizes the cosmos into being. John 1 locates the Logos (Word) “in the beginning” and names it as the source of creation. The Word brought forth the potential and the power for creation.
Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh. He brings the same creative power of God’s word into human life. As the creative Word made human, Jesus doesn’t come to create new physical worlds. Rather, he comes to create new worlds of meaning to human lives. He brought God’s creative Word to earth, so that human beings who had stopped listening to God or stopped believing in God’s creative presence or lost the ability to believe that God was still in the creation business could experience anew God’s powerful word of life – abundant life.
When Jesus speaks words of forgiveness to us, it opens up the possibility of living forgiven lives. When God calls us children, we are opened to the possibility of becoming sons and daughters of our Creator. When God says we are recreated in the image of Christ, we are freed to live like Christ (the power of sin is broken and we are freed to live in the spirit of Jesus Christ).
Not only do we know the power of words theologically, we experience it practically. Sociologist speak about self-fulfilling prophecy. Tell children long enough that they will never succeed and there is a good chance they will not find success. It’s not that they cannot succeed or that they do not have the skills, they simply give up trying and thus never experience deep accomplishment. Tell people enough times that they are unlovable and they will no longer seek or expect love.
Thus, Paul admonishes the Ephesians to use their speech in positive, life-giving and transformative ways. While anger can stir us towards righteous action, its misuse can lead us to destructive and life-denying language and actions. Thus, we are called to be imitators of God and love as Christ loved. This means we are to allow the Spirit of God who dwells within us to use us as bearers of creative and life-affirming messages.
So we speak the truth to our neighbors and do not let anger create room for evil. We live in such a way that we can share with those who are in need. Ultimately, we use our mouths for what is useful in building up and give grace to all who hear us. This prevents wrath, bitterness, malice and slander. Instead, we are to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving.
An important aside, is that as much as the world needs creative words of blessing, so do we. Even as we seek to bless others by sharing truths of God’s love, forgiveness and acceptance, we need those as well. We live in a time when negative voices are all around us. It is important to find friends who will speak good news into your spirit. Please know that I am one of them. Thank you for your faithful leadership in a very difficult season. May God continue to bless you and your work.
If you would like to view past editions of Moments with Mike, follow this link: https://corridordistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/