In the bustling corridors of our daily lives, amidst the cacophony of modern existence, the Apostle Paul's words to the Ephesians echo with timeless relevance: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:1, ESV). This passage is not merely an ancient text but a living, breathing directive for every believer today. Let's delve deeper into what this calling entails and how we, as modern evangelicals, can embody it.
The Basis of Our Calling (Ephesians 4:1)
Paul's "therefore" is pivotal. It hinges on the practical advice of chapters 4-6 on the theological bedrock of chapters 1-3. Here, Paul has already unfolded the mystery of Christ, our election, redemption, and the sealing by the Holy Spirit. Our calling isn't a call to strive for acceptance but a response to an already bestowed grace. This shift from striving to responding fundamentally alters our walk. We are not walking to be worthy; we are walking because we are deemed worthy through Christ.
Attributes of a Worthy Walk (Ephesians 4:2-3)
To walk worthy involves:
Humility and Gentleness: In an era where self-assertion is celebrated, Christian humility stands in stark contrast. It is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. Gentleness, or meekness, is not weakness but power under control, modeled perfectly by Jesus.
Patience and Love: Longsuffering in our relationships mirrors God's patience with us. It's about enduring inconveniences, annoyances, and even injustices with a heart of love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Unity in the Spirit: Unity doesn't mean we all look, think, or act the same. It's about a shared life in Christ, maintained through the bond of peace. This unity is both a gift and a goal, something the Spirit gives but also something we must actively preserve.
The Oneness of Our Faith (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Paul articulates the Church's unity through seven ones: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. This passage underscores that our diversity as believers does not undermine our unity; rather, it enriches the body of Christ. This unity is divine, transcending all human-made divisions, urging us towards a collective identity in Christ.
The Diversity of Gifts for Unity (Ephesians 4:7-16)
Christ, having ascended, bestowed gifts upon men. These aren't for personal glory but for:
Equipping the Saints: Every Christian has a role. The idea here is not of passive churchgoers but active participants in God's mission.
Building Up the Body: The ultimate aim is to reach unity in faith and knowledge of Christ, becoming mature, and attaining the whole measure of Christ's fullness. This growth prevents us from being "tossed to and fro by the waves" of every new doctrine.
Speaking the Truth in Love: Growth in Christ involves growing in love, where truth is not a weapon but a tool for building up, ensuring we grow in every way into Him who is the head.
The Transformation from Old to New (Ephesians 4:17-24)
Paul starkly contrasts the old self with the new:
The Old Self: This life is marked by ignorance, hardness of heart, and a surrender to sensuality. It's a life devoid of the life of God, lost in delusions.
The New Self: Created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. This transformation requires us to:
Put off falsehood: Embrace honesty in all interactions, recognizing our unity in Christ.
Manage Anger: Anger itself is not a sin, but how we handle it can be. We're called to resolve our anger before it gives the devil a foothold.
Work and Share: Instead of taking, we're to work so we might have something to share with those in need, reversing the ethos of self-centeredness.
Use Edifying Language: Our words should give grace to those who hear, acting as a conduit for the Holy Spirit's work.
Be Kind and Forgive: Reflecting the forgiveness we've received from Christ, our lives should be characterized by kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
Practical Living Out of Our Calling (Ephesians 4:25-32)
Paul's instructions are not abstract; they're intensely practical:
Honesty: Because we are all parts of the same body, deceit disrupts our collective health.
Righteous Indignation: Anger has its place, but it must not lead to sin or linger into bitterness.
Generosity: The shift from stealing to sharing underscores a fundamental change in our economic ethos, from accumulation to distribution.
Speech That Builds: Every word should aim to edify, to bring life, not tear down or corrupt.
Kindness Over Bitterness: The call to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving is rooted in God's forgiveness towards us in Christ. This calling is about avoiding negative behaviors and actively cultivating positive ones.
Conclusion: The Journey of Walking Worthy
To walk worthy of our calling is an ongoing journey, not a destination we reach overnight. It's about daily decisions to live out the Gospel in every aspect of our lives. This walk influences how we work, speak, think, and interact with others. It is about embodying the fruit of the Spirit in a world often barren of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As believers, we're reminded that our worthiness is not our own making but is conferred upon us by Christ's righteousness. Our response is to live in such a way that our lives reflect this divine calling. We strive not out of fear or obligation but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done.
Let us then, with renewed vigor, commit to this worthy walk, not in our strength but through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Encourage one another to love and do good deeds, keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. In doing so, we honor our calling and draw others into the transformative journey of faith in Christ Jesus.
In the rich history of Christian theology, Jesus Christ stands as the epitome of leadership and followership, embodying principles that have guided numerous leaders in the Church and beyond. This exploration, viewed through the unique evangelical perspective, a theological approach that places a strong emphasis on the authority of the Bible, the necessity of personal conversion, and the significance of evangelism, focuses on Jesus as both a transformational leader and a follower.
Jesus as a Transformational Leader
Servant Leadership
The concept of servant leadership, where the leader’s primary role is to serve those under their charge, finds its ultimate model in Jesus. Mark 10:45 states, ““For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” Here, Jesus redefines leadership not as a position of power or prestige but as a commitment to service, culminating in the ultimate act of service—His sacrificial death on the cross. This act redeemed humanity and set a paradigm for leadership within the Church and society, where true greatness is measured by one’s willingness to serve.
Empowering Others
Jesus’ method of leadership also involved empowering others. In John 20:21, He declares, ““As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”” This statement is pivotal, as it commissions His disciples to continue His work, thereby extending His mission through empowered followers. This empowerment was not merely about delegation but about instilling confidence and authority in His followers to carry forth the Gospel message, ensuring its propagation and the Church’s growth.
Self-Sacrifice
The depth of Jesus’ leadership is further exemplified in His readiness for self-sacrifice. John 15:13 reads, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This verse encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ leadership philosophy: love expressed through the ultimate sacrifice. His death was not just an act of redemption but a profound leadership lesson on the value of sacrificing for the greater good, influencing Christian leaders to consider the welfare of their flock above their own.
Teaching and Inspiring
Jesus was also a master teacher, using parables to convey profound truths about the Kingdom of God. Matthew 13:3 notes, “And he taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching he said to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.” Through these stories, Jesus transformed complex theological concepts into relatable narratives, making the divine accessible to the ordinary person. His teaching method was about imparting knowledge and inspiring a vision of God’s Kingdom, encouraging a transformation in the hearts and minds of His listeners.
Jesus as a Follower
Obedience to God
While Jesus is celebrated as a leader, His role as a follower is equally significant. In John 4:34, Jesus states, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” This statement explains His obedience to God, portraying His earthly mission as a fulfillment of divine will. This obedience is not passive but active, driven by a deep commitment to accomplishing the tasks set before Him by the Father.
Humility
Jesus’ humility as a follower is profound. John 6:38 captures this, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Here, Jesus exemplifies humility by submitting His own desires to the divine plan, setting a model for all followers of Christ to prioritize God’s will over personal ambition. His humility is not just a quality to admire but an inspiration for us to emulate in our own lives.
Trust in God
The trust Jesus placed in God’s plan is evident in John 12:47, where He says, “And Jesus answered, “I have not come to judge the world but to save the world.’’” This statement reflects His unwavering trust in the redemptive mission assigned to Him. This mission required faith in God’s overarching plan for salvation, even when it led to His crucifixion. His trust in God’s judgment over His own demonstrates His role as a follower who trusts divine wisdom over human understanding, reassuring us of the confidence we can have in our faith.
Theological Implications
From a Biblical perspective, Jesus’ dual roles as leader and follower provide a rich tapestry for understanding Christian leadership and discipleship. His leadership was transformative because it was rooted in service, empowerment, and sacrifice, which are spiritual and practical qualities for any leader. Conversely, His followership teaches us the importance of obedience, humility, and trust in God’s plan, which is crucial for spiritual growth and effective ministry.
Conclusion
Jesus Christ, as depicted in the Bible, offers a model of leadership and followership that transcends traditional boundaries. His life and teachings challenge modern leaders to lead with humility, serve with love, and empower with trust while encouraging all believers to follow God’s will with unwavering faith. This dual role of Jesus provides a comprehensive guide for those in leadership within the Church and for all who seek to follow Christ in their daily lives, making His example not just inspirational but also instructional for all aspects of Christian living.
Speech, in its many forms, holds a significant place in human interaction. It is a primary means by which we communicate, express thoughts, and convey emotions. For the Christian, speech is not merely a neutral tool but a moral and spiritual instrument with the potential for both tremendous good and profound evil. The Scriptures abound with exhortations and warnings concerning the use of the tongue, highlighting its capacity to edify or destroy, bless or curse, and lead others towards or away from the truth of the Gospel. This potential for good in speech should inspire us, as it shows that our words have the power to uplift, encourage, and bring others closer to God.
This blog post explores the concept of self-control in speech from a Biblical and theological perspective. Drawing primarily from Proverbs 15:1-2, James 1:26, James 3:2-12, Matthew 12:34, and Proverbs 15:23, we will examine how the Bible instructs believers to manage their words and what implications this has for the Christian life. These passages will delve into the significance of controlling one’s tongue, the consequences of failing, and the virtues that undergird godly speech.
Proverbs 15:1-2: The Wisdom of Gentle Speech
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness” (Proverbs 15:1-2, ESV).
The Book of Proverbs, a cornerstone of Biblical wisdom literature, offers profound insights into the ethical and moral dimensions of speech. In Proverbs 15:1-2, we encounter a juxtaposition of gentle and harsh words, wise and foolish speech, that guides the believer in cultivating self-control.
A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath: The first verse presents a scenario where a gentle response has the power to de-escalate conflict. The Hebrew word translated as “soft” can also imply something tender or gentle, and it starkly contrasts with a harsh word, which provokes anger. The wisdom here is clear: a soft and measured reply can diffuse tension and foster peace in the face of wrath. This principle is further illustrated in other Biblical passages, such as in Judges 8:1-3, where Gideon’s soft answer quells the anger of the Ephraimites, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
As Bruce Waltke comments, “Soft speech is like oil on bruised skin to soften and heal it; painful speech has the effect of oil poured on fire.” The imagery here is vivid: as oil soothes wounds, so does gentle speech heal relational fractures, while harsh words only exacerbate them. It explains the Christian ethic of responding with grace rather than reactivity. This trait reflects the character of Christ and is essential in maintaining unity within the Church and peace in interpersonal relationships.
The Tongue of the Wise Uses Knowledge Rightly: The second verse of Proverbs 15 further elaborates on the role of wisdom in speech. It suggests that a wise person possesses knowledge and knows how to apply it appropriately in conversation. The ability to use knowledge rightly implies discernment in speech, knowing when to speak, what to say, and how to say it. This discernment is contrasted with the “mouth of fools,” which, as the text states, “pours forth foolishness.” The imagery of a fountain “pouring forth” suggests an uncontrolled outflow, indicating that foolish speech is often reckless and unmeasured, lacking the restraint and consideration that wisdom demands.
The wisdom literature of the Bible frequently cautions against the dangers of unrestrained speech. In Proverbs 10:19, we are reminded that “when words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” This emphasis on restraint aligns with the broader Biblical teaching on the importance of self-control, particularly in our speech, which is a reflection of our inner life and character.
James 1:26 and James 3:2-12: The Moral and Spiritual Imperative of Taming the Tongue
The Epistle of James offers one of the most comprehensive New Testament teachings on the tongue’s power and the necessity of controlling it. James’ concern with the integrity of faith and practice is evident throughout his letter, and nowhere is this more apparent than in his discussion of the tongue.
If Anyone Thinks He Is Religious: James 1:26 challenges the notion of religion that is purely external or ceremonial. The verse states, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” Here, James critiques those who profess to be religious yet fail to control their speech. The word “bridle” suggests the need for deliberate restraint and control, much like how one would control a horse. The failure to bridle the tongue renders one’s religion “worthless,” indicating that true religion must impact every aspect of one’s life, including one’s speech.
This warning is a stark reminder that piety is not merely about outward observance but about the transformation of the heart, which must manifest in how we speak. According to James, the unbridled tongue is a sign of self-deception and reveals a disconnect between one’s professed faith and actual conduct.
The Power and Danger of the Tongue: In James 3:2-12, the apostle expands on the theme of the tongue’s power, using vivid metaphors to illustrate its potential for both good and harm. He writes, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2, ESV). James acknowledges the difficulty of perfect speech, noting that if one can control the tongue, one can control the entire body. The analogy of the bit in a horse’s mouth and the rudder of a ship underscores the disproportionate influence of the tongue relative to its size.
James then warns of the tongue’s destructive potential, likening it to a fire: “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell” (James 3:6, ESV). The imagery of fire highlights the tongue’s capacity to cause widespread damage, both in the speaker’s life and in the lives of others. Moreover, James suggests that the tongue is “set on fire by hell,” implying that unchecked speech can be a tool of evil, capable of spreading sin and discord.
The passage concludes with a reflection on the inherent contradiction in the misuse of the tongue: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (James 3:9, ESV). James emphasizes the moral and spiritual inconsistency of using the same tongue to both bless God and curse others, calling it an unnatural contradiction. This teaching challenges believers to align their speech with their faith, ensuring that their words consistently reflect their commitment to God’s righteousness.
Matthew 12:34: The Heart-Speech Connection
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 12:34 provides a critical insight into the relationship between the heart and speech. Addressing the Pharisees, He declares, “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34, ESV). This statement highlights a fundamental principle in Biblical ethics: our words directly reflect our inner spiritual condition.
Out of the Abundance of the Heart: Jesus’ words underscore the idea that speech is not merely a surface-level activity but is deeply connected to the state of one’s heart. The phrase “out of the abundance of the heart” suggests that what fills and overflows from our hearts will inevitably come out in our speech. Therefore, if one’s heart is filled with evil, deceit, or malice, it will be impossible for that person to speak good consistently. Conversely, a heart filled with the love of God, humility, and truth will naturally produce edifying speech that reflects those virtues.
This teaching places a profound responsibility on believers to guard their hearts, knowing that their speech is a window into their souls. Proverbs 4:23 echoes this sentiment: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” The condition of our heart directly influences our words, which in turn affect our relationships, witnesses, and ultimately, our relationship with God.
Proverbs 15:23: The Joy of a Well-Timed Word
“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” (Proverbs 15:23, ESV).
Proverbs 15:23 offers a positive reflection on the power of speech, highlighting the joy and goodness that come from a well-timed and appropriate word. The verse emphasizes the importance of what we say and when and how we say it.
A Word in Season: The concept of a “word in season” suggests that timing and context are crucial in effective communication. A timely and appropriate word can bring the speaker and listener joy. This verse reminds us that wisdom in speech is not only about content but also about sensitivity to the context and needs of the moment.
The ability to give an “apt answer” is a mark of discernment and emotional intelligence, both of which are rooted in a deep understanding of and relationship with God. A well-timed word can offer encouragement, provide clarity, and even prevent conflicts. It aligns with the broader Biblical principle that speech should be edifying and build others up according to their needs, as Paul instructs in Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
The Virtues Underlying Godly Speech: Humility, Patience, and Love
The Biblical exhortation to control one’s speech is undergirded by several key virtues that are essential to the Christian life. These include humility, patience, and love—virtues that reflect Christ’s character and enable believers to exercise self-control in their words.
Humility: Humility is the recognition of our dependence on God and the acknowledgment of our own limitations and sinfulness. It is the opposite of pride, which often leads to rash and hurtful speech. A humble heart is more likely to listen before speaking, to consider the impact of words, and to speak with a sense of reverence for the other person’s dignity and worth. Proverbs 18:13 warns, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame,” highlighting the wisdom of humble restraint in speech.
Patience: Patience, closely related to humility, is the ability to endure provocation, delay, or hardship without becoming angry or upset. It is a fruit of the Spirit that is essential for controlling the tongue. A patient person is slow to speak and quick to listen, as James 1:19 instructs: “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Patience allows for thoughtful and measured responses, rather than reactive and potentially harmful words.
Love: Love is the virtue that should govern all Christian speech. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” Love seeks the good of the other and is willing to sacrifice self-interest to build up others. Loving speech is kind, considerate, and truthful, seeking to reflect the love of Christ in every interaction.
Conclusion
The Biblical teaching on speech is both profound and challenging. The power of the tongue, as outlined in Scriptures such as Proverbs 15:1-2, James 1:26, James 3:2-12, Matthew 12:34, and Proverbs 15:23, cannot be overstated. Our words can bring life or death, build up or tear down, reflect the character of Christ, or betray our sinfulness.
The call to self-control in speech is ultimately a call to reflect the image of God in every aspect of our lives, including our words. This self-control requires a heart that is transformed by the grace of God, filled with His love, and guided by His wisdom. As we seek to grow in Christlikeness, let us be mindful of our words, striving to ensure that they reflect the One who is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV). By doing so, we honor God and become instruments of His peace and love in a world that desperately needs both.
