Don't Even Talk About It

But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 5:3 (NASB)

Unlike children today, those of my generation were not allowed to look their parents in the eyes when they spoke, nor were we permitted to talk back. Even if the parents' reaction was unfair because they had misunderstood a situation, children were expected to understand that, as parents, they could do no wrong. I experienced this and grew up this way. It was only after I had my own son that I understood that, although it was a way of raising us with respect, this upbringing contained an element of error. However, even as an adult, I still speak respectfully to my elders.

As Christians, walking in the footsteps of Christ, we must be a living example for others. Paul understood this so well that he asked the Christians in Ephesus not even to mention the sins of sexual immorality and impurity in all their forms. It wasn't that their thoughts were too pure to talk about such things or that they were too sanctified, but rather that they should focus on spiritual matters to prevent such conversations from creeping in among them. They were to support one another spiritually.

Christ gave His life to make us holy and blameless before God. Such grace should be so important to you that anything that leads to sinful thoughts should not even be a concern. A Christian must nourish their mind with God's word and spend time in prayer in order to live in a way that pleases God. Be holy as God has declared you holy. Avoid unnecessary conversations that will not help you grow in a perfect relationship with God.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.