In the Bible, “unwholesome” refers to things that are morally or spiritually harmful or corrupting. The term is often associated with harmful speech or actions that do not promote edification or righteousness, as seen in Ephesians 4:29, which advises believers to avoid corrupt talk and instead speak words that build up and give grace to others.
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 Unwholesome Words
The concept of “unwholesome” in the Bible extends beyond mere words and encompasses a broader moral landscape, urging believers to consider not only the content of their speech but also the intent and impact behind their actions. In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul admonishes the early church to refrain from any form of corrupting talk, emphasizing that communication should be constructive and grace-filled. This directive implies a proactive approach to moral living, whereby individuals seek to uplift others and cultivate a community grounded in love and respect. Unwholesome speech, therefore, not only harms the speaker’s own integrity but also endangers the communal bonds that are meant to reflect God’s love.
Furthermore, the idea of unwholesomeness is reflected in other biblical passages, such as Philippians 4:8, which encourages believers to focus their thoughts on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. This reinforces the notion that wholeness in thought and action promotes a spiritual health that is necessary for a life lived in accordance with God’s will. The overarching theme suggests that unwholesome elements—be they words, thoughts, or deeds—serve to distract, destroy, or distort the believer’s relationship with God and others. Therefore, Christians are called to actively pursue what is wholesome, allowing their actions to serve as instruments of healing and nourishment within the body of Christ.
In the broader biblical narrative, unwholesome behavior is frequently linked to moral decay and a departure from the covenantal life that God desires for His people. Throughout scripture, the emphasis is placed on the heart’s condition, as seen in texts that highlight the importance of righteousness and integrity in one’s life. For instance, the Proverbs frequently contrast the wise and the fool, often illustrating that a fool’s actions can lead to unwholesome outcomes detrimental to both personal and communal well-being. This dichotomy underscores the belief that wisdom and moral integrity are essential for maintaining wholeness in one’s life, while folly and wickedness lead to corruption and estrangement from God.
Moreover, unwholesomeness is linked not only to language and interpersonal relations but also to a way of life that stands opposed to God’s precepts. The Old Testament prophets, for example, often implore Israel to abandon practices that are morally and spiritually corrupt, urging them to return to covenant faithfulness. The call to purity, both in thought and action, reflects a holistic approach to living that encompasses all aspects of life—worship, relationships, and community. Ultimately, believers are invited to embrace a lifestyle that mirrors God’s character, fostering an environment that promotes growth, healing, and connection, in stark contrast to the destructive forces of unwholesomeness that threaten to undermine the divine purpose within the community of faith.
The Concept of Purity in Speech and Action
In the Bible, the term “unwholesome” often relates to the idea of purity, both in speech and in actions. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a standard of goodness and righteousness in how one communicates and behaves. Unwholesome words or deeds can corrupt not only the individual but also those around them, leading to a breakdown in community and relationships. This concept encourages believers to strive for integrity and to reflect the character of God in their interactions.
The Impact of Unwholesome Influences
Unwholesome elements in the biblical context can also refer to influences that lead individuals away from a godly life. This includes not only negative speech but also harmful behaviors, thoughts, and associations that can taint one’s spiritual journey. The Bible warns against allowing such influences to take root, as they can lead to moral decay and spiritual stagnation. The call is to seek out what is good, pure, and uplifting, thereby fostering a healthy spiritual environment.
The Call to Wholesomeness in Community
The notion of unwholesomeness extends to the broader community, highlighting the responsibility of individuals to contribute positively to their surroundings. In a biblical sense, believers are called to build each other up and to create an atmosphere of encouragement and support. Unwholesome actions or words can disrupt this harmony, leading to division and strife. Therefore, the biblical message advocates for a collective pursuit of wholesomeness, where each member plays a role in nurturing a healthy and vibrant community of faith.
How to Cultivate Integrity and Faithfulness in Today’s World
Cultivating integrity and faithfulness in today’s world can feel like an uphill battle, but it’s a journey worth taking as a follower of Christ. Start by grounding yourself in Scripture; passages like Proverbs 11:3 remind us that “the integrity of the upright guides them.” Make it a daily practice to reflect on your actions and decisions, asking yourself if they align with your values as a Christian. Surround yourself with a community that encourages accountability and supports your growth—whether that’s through a small group, church, or friendships that challenge you to be your best self. Remember, integrity isn’t just about being honest; it’s about being consistent in your faith, even when no one is watching. Pray for strength and wisdom to navigate the complexities of life, and trust that God will guide you as you strive to embody His love and truth in every situation. By doing so, you’ll not only strengthen your own faith but also become a beacon of hope and integrity in a world that desperately needs it.
Bible References to Unwholesome Behavior:
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Romans 1:28-32: 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Galatians 5:19-21: 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Peter 2:1-3: 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Philippians 4:8-9: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
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.
2 Timothy 2:16-17: 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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.
Mark 7:20-23: 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Romans 12:1-2: 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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.