Foolish Talk

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Ephesians 5:3-5. At Trinity this morning, Pastor Rogers said some things that really struck me. While he was discussing 'foolish talk' (from verse 4), he mentioned 'atheistic talk.' While that sounds straightforward, he also included some things I hadn't thought of, such as: talking about the future as though we control it and worrying about the past as though we could change it. I have a tendency (I think it partly comes from being asked 'what do you want to be when you grow up' too many times as a child - ever notice how much our culture inculcates that idea into children?) to talk (and think) about the future as though it is something owed to me. Then Ronnie pointed it out today that this is like assuming God doesn't exist. Pastor Rogers talked about the rest of the verses, but that was what struck me the most. That, and he pointed out that one of the problems with the foolish talk and coarse joking is that it displaces the praise and thanksgiving that rightfully belong to God.