Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (2 Timothy 2:16)
AVOID
A big red flag comes up in my mind when I see this word. In fact, today I was thinking about this verse while I watched someone read a tabloid magazine next to me on the plane. I wasn’t necessarily thinking that I needed to avoid her or people that read magazines. In fact, I found out she has served our country in the military for 10 years. Her husband just returned from Iraq not too long ago. What reminded me of the verse was how often people get caught up in the godless chatter of this world. The person next to me was reading stuff that was most likely stretched far from the truth or even if it was true; was it anybody’s right to read about another person’s life in a gossip magazine?
In fact, one of the flight attendants stopped by her seat and noticed one of the articles. She too got caught up in what was in the magazine. Who is doing what? Who is wearing what? Who said what? Don’t we do this to each other; inside the church and outside the church. We may not publicize it in a magazine, but we easily get caught up in godless chatter. That is why Paul took the time to write about it in 2 Timothy. He was warning the people of his day to not use their words carelessly. We need to do the same. We need to be careful with each word we say. Hold captive the thoughts that you think and the words that you say will better serve the life you live for the King above!
The verse goes on to say that godless chatter leads to a life of ungodliness. The more we get caught up in the world and things that people around us are talking about; the less we will look like the One who is wanting to transform us. We need to constantly go back to the Word of God, the words that are breathing life into us. The words that will not take life from us. Will you choose to breathe life into those around you? Will you choose to cut the next conversation off that doesn’t have anything to do with God? Will you choose to stay away from conversations that are of godless chatter, mindless matter, and careless thinking? Will you choose to engage in conversations that bring Jesus love alive with every breath you take? Only you can make the choice. Start with the next conversation you have!
Dear Father God, I pray that my conversations will be seasoned with Your grace. May I find myself in silence, if my words do not hold Your standard of love, peace, and grace! I pray that my words will be uplifting to those around me and most of all I pray they will uplift the name of Jesus!
Choosing to Stay Away from godless Chatter,
