“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour” (Prov. 14:9).
The entire context of Ephesians, chapter 5, is about sin. Among other things, we see that jesting and foolish talking is one behavior listed as sin.
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:3-21).
The word ‘convenient’ – NT:433 aneko (an-ay’-ko) in this reference means “proper or fit.” If we were serious about (actually did) the things we sometimes jest about, would it be proper or fitting behavior or sinful? Can this become the basis for our fellowship with the church? Can it come to a point where we don’t know how to talk to each other without jesting about or mocking something or somebody? If this is the glue that holds us together, what do we really have? “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: … That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:1, 4).
“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded…. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you…. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:6, 8, 12).
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:13-16).
If we actually decided to disobey these commands, what would we do differently? What would Jesus do? Would he spend most of the time with the disciples acting like a buffoon? Are we serious about becoming like Jesus (Phil. 2:5)?
—Beth Johnson
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