In the Bible, “filthy communication” refers to inappropriate, corrupt, or evil speech that is contrary to godly principles. It is associated with behaviors that are unwholesome or otherwise detrimental to one’s spiritual life, as highlighted in passages like Colossians 3:8, where believers are urged to rid themselves of such language.
Scripture
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.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Biblical Meaning of Filthy Communication
The concept of “filthy communication” in the Bible encapsulates the broader theme of the power of words and the moral responsibility believers have in their speech. In Colossians 3:8, Paul instructs the church to “put away all anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication out of your mouth.” This directive emphasizes not only the importance of what one says but also what one refrains from saying, indicating that our verbal expressions should reflect our adherence to Christian values and truths. Filthy communication could include gossip, slander, obscenities, or any language that undermines the dignity of others or the integrity of one’s witness to Christ.
Moreover, the Bible consistently correlates speech with character and spiritual vitality. Jesus teaches in Matthew 12:34 that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” suggesting that the words we use are an overflow of our inner selves. Consequently, maintaining godly communication involves more than just avoiding certain words; it necessitates a transformation of the heart and mind through the continual renewal found in Christ (Romans 12:2). Therefore, by fostering pure and uplifting communication, believers not only enhance their spiritual well-being but also serve as powerful witnesses for the Kingdom of God. This understanding encapsulates the call for Christians to engage in conversations that reflect love, grace, and truth rather than those that corrupt and degrade.
The issue of filthy communication extends beyond mere speech; it is closely tied to the broader principle of edification within the Christian community. Ephesians 4:29 highlights that believers are called to speak in ways that build others up rather than tear them down. This means that the intention behind our words should always be to encourage and support our fellow believers in their walk with God. When communication is imbued with negativity, deception, or hostility, it damages relationships and hinders the unity of the body of Christ. In this light, avoiding filthy communication isn’t just about abstaining from certain phrases or words; it’s about actively seeking to promote love, understanding, and positivity in all our interactions.
Additionally, the Bible underscores the importance of aligning our communication with the truth of the Gospel. In James 1:26, it is stated that if anyone considers himself religious but does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, and his religion is worthless. This reinforces the notion that true faith is reflected in the way we express ourselves. A believer who indulges in filthy communication contradicts the transformative work that is supposed to characterize a life committed to Jesus. Thus, the call to purity in speech is a vital aspect of demonstrating one’s faith and commitment to living out the principles of righteousness and love in a world that often promotes divisive and harmful rhetoric. The overarching biblical narrative encourages a conscious effort to align our communication with God’s way, reflecting His holiness and grace.
The Importance of Speech in Spiritual Life
Filthy communication in the Bible often signifies the broader concept of how our words reflect our inner spiritual state. The Bible emphasizes that speech is a powerful tool that can either uplift or degrade. Filthy communication can be seen as a manifestation of a heart that is not aligned with God’s values, indicating a need for spiritual renewal and transformation. This highlights the importance of cultivating a pure heart and mind, as our words are a direct reflection of our inner being.
The Call to Holiness and Purity
Another broader meaning of filthy communication relates to the call for holiness and purity in the lives of believers. The Bible encourages individuals to pursue a lifestyle that is consistent with their faith, which includes the way they communicate. Filthy communication can be understood as anything that detracts from the holiness of God, including gossip, slander, and vulgarity. This call to purity extends beyond mere words to encompass the intentions and attitudes behind them, urging believers to embody the character of Christ in all aspects of their lives.
The Impact of Words on Community and Relationships
Filthy communication also has implications for community and relationships within the body of believers. Words have the power to build up or tear down, and the presence of filthy communication can create division and strife among individuals. The Bible teaches that believers are called to encourage one another and speak life into their relationships. Therefore, the avoidance of filthy communication is essential for fostering unity, love, and mutual respect within the Christian community, reflecting the love of Christ to the world.
How to Cultivate Purity in Speech and Conduct as a Christian
Cultivating purity in speech and conduct is a beautiful journey that reflects our commitment to living out our faith authentically. As Christians, we are called to be the light of the world, and this begins with how we communicate and behave in our daily lives. Start by being mindful of the words you choose; Ephesians 4:29 reminds us to let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. This means actively choosing kindness, encouragement, and truth in our conversations. Additionally, consider the company you keep—surrounding yourself with those who uplift and challenge you in your faith can inspire you to maintain a higher standard in your actions. Regularly immersing yourself in Scripture and prayer can also fortify your heart and mind, helping you to reflect Christ’s love and grace in all that you do. Remember, it’s a process, and grace is always available to us as we strive to embody purity in our lives.
Bible References to Filthy Communication:
Colossians 3:5-10: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
James 3:5-12: 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6 And 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.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Proverbs 4:23-27: 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Matthew 15:10-20: 10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand:
11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.
12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.
14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.
15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”
16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?
17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?
18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Ephesians 5:3-5: 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Proverbs 6:16-19: 16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
1 Peter 3:8-12: 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
Titus 3:1-2: 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
James 1:26-27: 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Proverbs 10:19-21: 19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
Matthew 12:33-37: 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Psalm 34:12-14: 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Proverbs 15:1-4: 15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34: 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.