think about such things

With my recent focus on my seminary work, I haven’t been in the pulpit for a while on a Sunday morning, so it was good to preach again.  Inevitably when I write a sermon, I write more than I ever use.   When it comes to writing, sermons or otherwise, Stacey often reminds us of a quote by Ernest Hemingway; “sometimes you have to sacrifice your darlings”, referring to illustrations and thoughts that are good but don’t make the final product.  

You may or may not have noticed that in my sermon on Ephesians 5:7-14, I didn’t expound too much on verse 12.  This isn’t because I consider this verse less important than the others but rather I needed to go in a different direction so this darling had to be sacrificed, so to speak. 

Verses 11-12 state Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Several years ago I used to commute to Indianapolis for work several times a week.  Like many Hoosiers, at times I would to listen to a popular morning radio show.   You know the one…no need to mention it by name.  The foolish talk and course joking mentioned in Ephesians 5:4 is a fitting description of some of the skits and antics in the show.  I would listen and smile until something so overt was said, I would feel convicted and change the station.  Finally, I decided that starting my day this way was not something pleasing to my Heavenly Father (Eph. 5:10) so I stopped altogether.  

Some things are so vile that they should be discussed in as little detail as possible, because even describing them is morally and spiritually dangerous.  We are not to make the latest form of perversion and idolatry committed by a celebrity or politician a topic of conversation. We are not to waste our breath discussing the latest new sin to come down the pike; this would include listening to others discuss these things on TV or radio. 

Philippians 4:8 states: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. So in other words, if it is not good, honest, honorable, admirable, or true don’t waste your time talking about it (or listening to it). 

Live Dangerously!