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Monday Muse: Perverse Speech?
Posted on September 14th, 2009 in Faith, From the Word, Monday Muse by Fred McKinnon
Challenged by my own “rebuke” of sorts on last week’s popular blog post, “Who Are We Kidding“, I decided I’d better get myself in the Word this morning. YouVersion.Com and my “Daily Reader” program on my Treo phone took me to Proverbs 8:12-13.
So, if “wisdom” hates “perverted speech” (referred to as “perverse speech in many translations) …
What exactly is “perverse/perverted speech”?
I think of the movies and TV shows we, as Christians, watch with little or no conviction any longer … filled with what I’d consider to be “perverse” speech. Drink it in. Filthy water.
What do you think “perverse speech” is referring to?
That’s today’s Monday Muse. Tweet it, invite your friends to answer, and let the comments begin.
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7 Responses to “Monday Muse: Perverse Speech?”
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Given that the Bible – both Old Testament and New – have what is commonly accepted as “vuglar terms”, even one from the very mouth of Paul – “perverse speech” I have often equated with talk that uses sexual language as humor. I admit that I could be wrong, but it seems to make sense to me.
This has always been my interpretation too… Locker room humor.
I suppose it could be many things, but the first thing that came to mind (especially with the term perverted) would be anything that “perverted” the word of God.
So, any man-made doctrine would/could be considered perverse speech!
Just my 3cents
Kip
It would be anything that didn’t comply with Ephesians 4:29. In other words, if the words were not edifying then they should be edited, rephrased, or otherwise censored.
When I taught junior high, I would have any kid read Ephesians 4:29 out loud who “slammed, dogged, or put down” any other child.
This is hard to put into practice, but then again, the Proverbs (as well as James) pretty much tell us to keep quiet most of the time.
Ephesians 4:29 (Amplified Bible)
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:3
As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
I’m with you on this Bridgit. Not that I’m against the “sexual innuendos”, I agree with that, as well because it fits under the blanket of this verse.
I think that another verse that could possibly tie this verse and Fred’s verse could be Matthew 12:36 – “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken”.
I believe Solomon said something similar at the end of his days, as well. But “perverse speech” can take on many, many cloaks to deceive us.
Fred, thanks for these thought-provoking posts. I agree with where others are going in their comments here.
The Hebrew word translated “perverted speech” comes from a root word meaning “froward” (hey, there’s one we use a lot!), fraudulent, to turn, contrary, to overturn, overthrow, etc. This kind of speech, then, is in contrast to the prudence, or discretion, that comes with wisdom mentioned in verse 12.
It’s the kind of speech that would be the opposite of godly wisdom, but would, in New Testament terms, be “anti-Christ”, Who is Wisdom. Paul describes it like this is Acts 13:10, talking to Elymas the sorcerer — “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?”
Jesus was accused of this by the Jews in Luke 23:2 — “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
James makes this contrast in chapter 3, verses 13-18 — “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Okay, now if you’ll excuse me, I probably shouldn’t say anything else till I go hit the ‘replay’ button on the words that have come out of my mouth in the last few days.
Harold, wow – thanks so much, bro!