Time for Everything - Part 6

If you can’t say something good...

Big Idea: Words are like bricks: they can build or they can injure

Theme verse:

Ecc 3:1,7

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:7 NKJV

7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

Tear = rip or cut to pieces

Sew = Stitch together

Anyone be ripped or shredded by the words of someone else?

Anchor Verse: Anybody experienced restoration through someone’s words?

Did you get this mom advice? “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.”

Ephesians 4:29 KJV 1900

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

29. corrupt—literally, “insipid,” without “the salt of grace” (Col 4:6), so worthless and then becoming corrupt: included in “foolish talking” (Eph 5:4). Its opposite is “that which is good to edifying.”

insipid = Insipid is an adjective that means lacking taste, flavor, or interesting and exciting qualities. It describes things that are bland or people and ideas that are dull and lifeless. [1, 2]Meanings and Uses

Lacking Flavor: Used for food or drink that has no real taste, like plain water or unseasoned soup.

Dull or Boring: Used for art, ideas, or writing that lacks life, force, or spirit.

communication—language.

that which, &c.—Greek, “whatever is good.”

use of edifying—literally, “for edifying of the need,” that is, for edifying where it is needed. Seasonably edifying; according as the occasion and present needs of the hearers require, now censure, at another time consolation. Even words good in themselves must be introduced seasonably lest by our fault they prove injurious instead of useful. TRENCH explains, Not vague generalities, which would suit a thousand other cases equally well, and probably equally ill: our words should be as nails fastened in a sure place, words suiting the present time and the present person, being “for the edifying of the occasion” (Col 4:6).

minister—Greek, “give.” The word spoken “gives grace to the hearers” when God uses it as His instrument for that purpose.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 352.

Keeping Quiet is Better than Arguing

2 Timothy 2:23 NKJV

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

Historical Setting

Paul is imprisoned in Rome, expecting to die (2 Timothy 4:6-8). He writes to encourage Timothy to remain faithful despite increasing opposition.

Paul is addressing the same recurring problem.

This problem had existed since Timothy first arrived in Ephesus.

The Ephesian church was being troubled by teachers who:

Argued over speculative ideas

Promoted myths and genealogies

Twisted Scripture

Caused unnecessary controversy

Divided believers

This problem had existed since Timothy first arrived in Ephesus.

Compare:

1 Timothy 1:3-7 – False teachers devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.

1 Timothy 1:3–7 ESV

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 – Men obsessed with disputes and arguments.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 ESV

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Titus 3:9 – "Avoid foolish questions, genealogies, contentions..."

Titus 3:9 NKJV

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

Paul is addressing the same recurring problem.

A non sequitur is a statement, remark, or conclusion that does not logically follow from what came before it. The phrase comes from Latin and literally means "it does not follow". It is used in two main ways: as a logical mistake and as a random conversational remark.In Logic (Logical Fallacy)Definition: A conclusion or argument where the result does not match or stem from the given proof or premise.Example: "It is raining outside, therefore I will pass my history test." (The rain has no connection to test performance.)

Logical Form:

Claim A is made.

Evidence is presented for claim A.

Therefore, claim C is true.

Example #1:

People generally like to walk on the beach. Beaches have sand. Therefore, having sand floors in homes would be a great idea!

Use Words like Building Bricks

Ephesians 4:29 AMP

29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.

Nothing builds up like pointing them to Jesus through your testimony!