3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Vs. 3 - “Immorality... impurity... greed...” - Sexual misuse of our bodies and minds, such as prostitution and pornography must not be part of the Christian’s life. Generally unclean thoughts and actions, not just sexual impurity, must not be part of the Christian’s life. The “must not” is not a suggestion, nor a ‘should not be’, nor a ‘best practices’ admonition. It is a command - don't take part in it; don't think about it. If tempted to think about these practices, or if tempted to take part, stop and pray! Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to cleanse your mind of these desires and temptations. Ask the Lord to drive Satan and these desires from your mind and emotions. Ask to be cleansed. Be on the offensive against immorality and impurity in your life. Take action. Decide to be holy in the name of the Lord. See: Matt 5:27-28
Greed or covetousness are unbecoming to a Christian. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,’ " (Heb 13:5) Also: “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’" (Luke 12:15)
“As is proper among saints” - There is NO WAY the type of behavior listed above is a good witness of Christ living in you. This follows the expectation, if not a command, that believers’ lives are changed and should exhibit it. Christ indicated that our lifestyle should be different than non-believers. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (See: Luke 6:32 ) Non-believers love their family and friends, just as you Christians love your family and friends. Jesus' love should flow through you to people who are not your close allies. He loved us first; that is why He came and died to pay for our sin that we might fellowship with Him.
“Peter reminded the church, “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Pet 4:2) Your non-believing friends will see a change and wonder why you aren’t partying with them.
This command to live your life with God in the forefront of your decision making is prevalent in scripture. For example, repeated often in Exodus through Leviticus is 'You shall be holy, for I am Holy' (See: Lev 20:26) The command, “Be Holy” is repeated 23 times in the Pentateuch. The Israelites were expected to be different than the pagan nations around them. Today, in America, it might be said we are living in a ‘pagan nation’.
“For example, we live in one of the most “unchurched” areas of the United States. Polls indicate that many people do not believe there is a God. And about half of those that do believe God do not look favorably on the church or Christians! The church has not been a good witness for Christ. I will admit that some of the animosity to the church is because of its stand against abortion and its belief about homosexuality; or the church has not spoken forcefully enough against true racism.
Vs. 4 - and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
“No filthiness and silly talk... coarse jesting...” - Filthiness: Cursing, “f”-word, vulgar sexually charged and sexually laden language. This is more, or at least different, than the list in verse 3 above, which are actions, or behaviors. The second list in verse 4 are verbal manifestations of attitude. The things done first show a life not in control of Jesus. The second show life that is dismissive of allowing Jesus to be in control.
Both are indicators of rebellion and rejection. Sometimes mocking or belittling with humor, denigrating with foul epithets can seem sophisticated and intelligent. This is not a ‘ranking’ of sin - i.e., the sin of speaking is not as ‘bad’ as acting out. Wrong! There is no such thing as a good or acceptable sin, or a sin so insignificant that God will look the other way. (“I didn’t see anything. Did you see anything?”)
Any sin separates us from God. Confess and repent!
In the midst of the Coronavirus scare, there were people enraged that a Christian organization (Samaritan’s Purse) would provide medical care and treatment in New York City. New York may have been one of the worst locations for the virus outbreak in the United States. Some will curse and mock the Christian organization for its involvement. They would rather have people die than take help from a Christian group. But we don’t answer to human judgements, but to the Lord.
Making jokes (“slightly soiled”, if not outright dirty) and double entendres are a way of ‘fitting in’ with the non-believers - “See. I belong.” (“Wink, wink.” “Nod, nod.” “Say no more!”) (See note 1, below) These show a person looking askance at faith; being sophisticated by not being sucked into a more simple chaste lifestyle. This is not saying all humor is bad or evil. Paul is not commanding us to be “strait-laced, sober and sad”.
They can tell we are Christians by our love; but they may be confused by our lifestyle or behavior. Our life demonstrates whether or not Jesus Christ is living in us and controlling us.
“Giving of thanks” - The object of temptation is to get you to do something; (See note 2, below) usually to do something under your own power and direction, in lieu of by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you feel tempted to make a coarse joke or comment, you can be sure it is not Jesus urging you to do so. As a suggestion, when under such desire, allow the Holy Spirit to change your direction, to lead you into giving thanks for salvation and growth in Jesus Christ. I don’t mean being proud that you are saved, unlike those others (a fairly Pharisaical attitude), but that Jesus loves you and has an abundant life for you. There is no need to be off-color, slightly soiled, or silly or filthy.
Vs. 5 - “For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
“For this you know with certainty” - This steps into the middle of a theological controversy: Who can be saved? For example: If a person says they have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, but still lives a life violating most Christian mores, is that person ‘saved’? The safe answer is, “I don’t know. Only Christ knows. Only Christ makes that decision.” But, it kind of makes you wonder...
“inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” - We can know, because it is in the scriptures, that there will be NO unsaved persons in eternity with the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. See: “Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling, and to cause you to stand, rejoicing, without blemish before his glorious presence, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 )
And: “But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death." (Rev 21:8 )
Or: “For from within, out of the human heart, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly. All these evils come from within and defile a person." (Mark 7:21-23 )
It is also true there will be former immoral, impure, and greedy persons in heaven. If you have been an immoral person, you are demonstrably a sinner - there is no place for you in God’s kingdom. But, if you have been an immoral person and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, your sins are forgiven.You are now without spot or blemish, pure and suitable for His kingdom.
By the way, even if you are not immoral you are a sinner because of the sin passed down from Adam to you. You still need, you will always need, the saving grace of Christ’s blood shed for you.
The rub comes in the question: can a practicing immoral, impure person be a Christian? Or conversely, can a practicing believing Christian be immoral, impure and covetous? This question is harder to answer with a firm yes or no. I am not copping-out, but the answer is not mine to make. On the other hand, the nomenclature 'immoral, impure Christian' is an oxymoron. There might be one of several reasons why a 'Christian' would act an immoral manner - one of which is the person has not accepted Christ as savior at all. God knows for sure. “All creation lies open and exposed before His eyes, and it is to Him that we must give an account for ourselves.” (Heb 4:13)
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Note 1: From a “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” skit.
Note 2: From “The Normal Christian Life”. Watchman Nee. chapter 10.
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