Christian Talk and Singing Should Have Thoughtfulness Behind It

The Christian’s talk must never be empty, senseless, frivolous; a Christian man should never be a frivolous person, nor should he speak in a frivolous, light, vapid, empty manner.  It is typical of the life of the world, but it has got nothing to do with the Christian life.  I must emphasise here the aspect of taking thought.  The life of the Christian should be characterised by this element of thoughtfulness.  And this not only applies to our speaking but even to our singing.  “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.”  We do not jig, we do not rush, such words as that.  The difference between Christian and non-Christian singing in a sense, is the element of thoughtfulness.  We do not sing tunes, we sing the words!  Let Christian singing be bright, certainly, but never breezy, never jaunty!  And then the Apostle introduces the word jesting, that is to say, clever, polished, witty talk which has a harmful and sinful tendency.  The original word has got the idea of turning in it -- the turning of a phrase, the clever, sophisticated, witty, polished shafts which such people throw out, or any double meaning, any suggestiveness, anything which is ribald or scurrilous, in any sense.  And that again, he says, should have no place in the Christian life, but must be banished altogether -- “foolish talking and jesting, which are not convenient.” 

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Darkness and Light: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:17-5:17,” pg. 331