Have you been Corrupted by E-mail?

By Rick Friedrich

"You shall not follow the masses in doing evil." Exodus 23: 2.

It can hardly be denied today that people are generally spoiled with luxury, and are so unthankful that their estimation of grace is cheap. Modern technology has so advanced that it takes very little effort to earn a profit or to gather an unlimited amount of information. Ungodly advertisers have jumped at the opportunity; and their craft has made the modern world relatively indifferent towards information; creating a general relativism or careless attitude about absolute or essential values. And while the church might not dare deny absolute values in strict word, most have practically done this in the way they live and speak. We have now arrived at a time that scores of people can be held up as authorities for any opinion under the sun; and this is comforting for lazy and selfish people, who are really only interested in what they desire to believe. With most people today it is clear that they will feel comfortable believing or disbelieving anything they will, as long as some 'authority' or multitude does the same. The race is towards whatever can prove my point and justify my course; and no longer is the honest scientific method and goal of seeking objective reality and the greatest good. Instead of considering any subject in light of facts of reality, the almost exclusive method of inquiry surrounds the question of whether such and such person could have been wrong. If this is not actually stated, it is nevertheless the manifest method of the majority in churches today. This 'whatever-can-prove-my-point-because-I-can-find-some-authority-to-agree' doubting is the almost universal method of disbelieving doctrines and duties that call for self-denial, hardship, and misunderstanding by others. Doubt after doubt has been justified by the masses, and after the build up of many years, the only real value believed and zealously enforced is that 'anti-judging' attitude that tolerates little or no absolute (or biblical) values, and ruthlessly condemns those that practice conservative values; or else they inhumanely ignore them as if they do not exist. The masses are still running into evil, yet it is not so much in the doing but in the doubting.

Our increased mail has added to this problem. Even paper letters have become so numerous and unimportant that senders have ceased to put the effort into them as in former days, and instead opted for increasing the quantity of letters rather than the quality. The underlying philosophy of this approach is that if we can make people so familiar with an idea, then they will not be so opposed to it; because people today are more affected by the appeals to numbers than they are to soundness and integrity. Thus money and popularity still rule our day, and the gospel is hidden.

But while traditional mailing still required some effort and postage it still was not as affected by this cheap indifference to grace and truth as E-mail has been. Not only does it cost no money, and can often be written much faster and with less effort, but it can be sent instantly, and receive a much faster response. An important time gap has been lost, where people could wonder if what they wrote was really appropriate. In our day everything is instant and we no longer have any time for reflection. Where before people might ponder a subject for some time before they received a response; now they can get a response and respond again right away, without taking time to consider what is said. Not that that must take place with modern technology, but it actually does take place with most people. Let us not be understood therefore to oppose modern efficiency, but rather we are seeking to purify the process, and take the necessary steps to prevent cheap and dangerous writing.

The grand, but not the only problem lying at the basis of such surface-level cheap emails, is that because the process is so simple, people desire to make the mental and moral process of handling and communicating the truth just as fast. And once such efficiency and quantity have replaced quality and equal love for our neighbors as higher values, then the individual is ready for any manner of ungodly writing. Now, not everyone may actually get into this hasty writing themselves, but if they have not yet seen this as rampant as it is, and therefore tried to oppose it, then they still have been desensitized to it, and are at least indirectly supporting it by their silence. The point is that there is a general coldness manifest in many email letters, and therefore people know at least subconsciously that they prefer paper mail for this reason. But instead of exposing it publicly (say on email lists) and privately, most get swallowed up by the spirit. And then we arrive at a day like today when what is average is tolerable, and what is tolerable is not sinful.

This insensitivity and temptation to be hasty is the occasion for ungodly and unrighteous methods of communicating. Even men who have the truth fall into the spirit that defends it in ways utterly irreverent or improper. As if God cares more about a man's profession as much as whether he represents the Truth itself in his heart and life. When men adopt such ungodly methods they reveal a fundamental ignorance and blindness to fellowship with God and the more important truths of loving God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. Once people substitute quantity for quality, and facts over virtue, they have placed themselves in the devil's most desired position, and have become just the kind of hypocrite he desires to defame that truth with. People do not desire unholy people when they talk about holy subjects. Unfortunately, because of the law of association, people then end up throwing out the baby with the bath water. It is therefore the devil's most dangerous ploy to not get open opposers to truth, but to get people to defend it in an ungodly manner.

Email groups and lists have the greatest potential for misunderstanding, because people to not take the time to think that they usually do not know the person they are writing to, or how to take the tone of their statements. Also, because there are so many letters, people can forget who said what, or if they actually said before, what they intended to say, etc. In light of this, Christian love calls for great patience, and giving the benefit of the doubt to others, much more than if someone was physically before us in person. All will agree, at least when others do it to them, that when questionable statements are made, instead of reacting upon unclear assumptions, we should first ask for clarification before we risk breaking the unity of the faith and bond of peace. God only knows just how much strife and prejudice exists through emails because people do not do this, and such lists allow it under the ungodly idea of freedom of any manner of speech. You must really consider what takes place in this in order to really escape its guilt. It is manifest that many professing Christians on these lists feel bound to only live up to the lists requirements for sending emails. If it allows for strife and insult, then they not only have no worry before God about relishing in the vain talk, but will condemn others for objecting to it and expecting God's standard of love. But God is not fooled! He is not only existing on Sunday and Wednesday nights, but exists at all times and in all places--and His law touches all ideas, methods, pursuits, and conversation. We are not cleared before heaven just because a list allows us to practice what no one objects to. "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil." New formats for the masses to do evil are ever developing in our world every day. And if we have not gathered that the masses have usually been evil then we most certainly are still sharing with them in their guilty practices. Indeed, one of our enemies in the bible is not called "the world" for no reason. "Do you no know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4: 4. "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you." 2 Cor. 6. Who knows this by experience?

Most people have had the bitter experience of witnessing unclean emails that, at the very least destroy Christian peace and love. But few have been able to clearly hold all conversation up to the Word of God to know just how to judge what is proper and was is actually sinful. Ephesians chapter five gives us many clear statements that precisely classify our words and will help us understand just what God really thinks and will do about them. First, our Lord sums it up in Matthew 12: "But I tell you that every idle word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." We see that it was not just for abusive or perverted language that people will be judged but for saying words for no necessary reason. In other words, every word must be carefully estimated to be the best for that moment, and at no time are we permitted to just say whatever comes to mind. Yes abusive and perverted language are part of these vain words, but we have much more responsibility before God concerning our words than simply with these extremes.

Turning to Ephesians 4: 29 we see a little more of the picture that we are to "Let no unwholesome word come from your mouth, only what is good for the improvement of the present need in order that it may give grace to person listening." The purpose for our speech is not for ourselves but for those listening, that it may be for their good and improvement. Our object in each person we speak to is for them to receive grace from heaven, and not merely facts that we might selfishly tell them about. Even reproof is to be for the individual's well-being, and not to be a mere venting or retaliation.

If this is not the case, the next verse tells us what will happen: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." The Spirit is interested in giving grace, and anything else in its place will be depriving Him of His work and mission. Every idle word is such a waste and contrary to His will.

We must next ask ourselves in all our conversations and reading of emails, if we: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and brawling and reviling be put away from you, along with all evil." Or do we tolerate it and let it thrive? And do we next find ourselves to "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you"? Or do we treat people contrary to how Jesus treated men in all patience and understanding. Do we assume things about others that we would not do to a dear friend? Whose conscience has not been marred by these things?

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." We are to do whatever Jesus would do in our shoes according to our light. Everyone knows deep down in their heart of hearts that Jesus would not do--or rather have them do--what many do, or allow on many of these email lists, and that many things are thus idle and ought not to have been written. Before it is allowed, every lettershould be carefully considered in light of the question: Is this what God would do, or have me to do? Is this the work of the Holy Spirit giving grace from heaven to this person for their good and improvement? How can anyone tolerate anything less? Instead people are often out for selfish gain and could not be supposed to "walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." These last three verses all show that we really have this forgiveness just as God forgives us, and have His character, which is this sacrificial love, if we are his children. And if we do not have this then we are not. Note Matthew 6 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions"; 1 John 3 "the one who does righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous"; 1 Cor. 13 "If I have prophesy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing"; and 1 John 3 "He who does not love abides in death." There can be no room to support anything contrary to these essentials.

After positively showing us what we must do at all times, by holding up the sacrificial example of God as not only attainable, but our commanded standard, he then forbids those things that are obviously implied against such things: "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not be named among you, as is proper among holy people." Anything contrary to the purity of giving as demonstrated in the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God is clearly forbidden in these verses. Therefore men might not use each other for selfish gain in the slightest degree. And nothing that would shock or defile heaven's holiness and peace ought to be allowed from our lips and pens. This is perhaps one of the best practical tests to judge these matters: Do I feel that this would be suitable to be read in heaven? Would all agree there that it was of grace and for the need of the hour just as Jesus would have it said?

And who could imagine them approving the many idle letters that exist today when they are contrary to these next words: "And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or provocative joking which are not fitting but rather giving of thanks." Every word must be most fitting for the need of the hour and have the purpose to give heaven's grace to the listening soul. There is a mission to forward at every moment and not time to defile others with diverting humor and silly entertainment. The great sin of these words, even if they be brief, is that they are contrary to the Spirit of grace and grieve His important mission. What does silly talking do for the listener when he could rather have had God's grace given to him in appropriate word. Humor might not be sinful in itself but it always is when it is not the need of the hour and when it is planed to entertain people contrary to seeking God's highest glory. Certainly a joker is not an imitator of God and is full of idle words. How much more then is someone who jests and trifles with people contrary to their real need. Instead we must always have the attitude of true thankfulness for the people we are able to give grace to. Christian lives are about giving and not getting. Let me ask you: Is heaven thankful for your words?

"For be sure of this that no immoral or impure person or covetous person, who is an idolater (of himself), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." This we could already see from the previous verses, but just to make sure he tells us this emphatically--just the very opposite of what people today generally teach and practically assume. Not only are we to separate from such people to the point of not even eating with them (1 Cor. 5) if they claim to be brothers, but these are not as 'secure' as they suppose; and will certainly not go to heaven unless God's grace takes all this filth away in this life. Anyone who sets up their own idle, foolish, or inappropriate words when better words of life and grace could have been said, certainly prefers himself over God and is no fit subject for heaven where God's will and grace are universal law. Indeed, how do people even think they would enjoy heaven if their greatest enjoyments now are merely entertaining, foolish or self-glorifying worldly words?

"Let no one deceive you with idle words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." He once again emphatically warns people in another way lest they miss this important truth that our Lord taught above. There is a danger as we saw above in not just saying idle words but in listening to them. If men will be judged by God for such words and cannot enter heaven to defile its members then how shall we escape their guilt if we tolerate or permit it to go on unwarned? As we shall see in the next verses, certainly we are under great deception if we suppose that we can listen to idle words without sharing in its guilt, when we are called to expose these works that are contrary to God's grace and the need of the hour. Certainly this verse shows us that the listeners as well as the speakers are the sons of disobedience with whom the wrath of God comes upon in justice. And how can we escape this judgment if we continually listen to so much chatter and read multitudes of shallow emails day after day?

"Therefore do not be partakers with them." This is contrary to popular opinion which says we must gradually win them over with our better example, tolerating their idle talk while we fellowship with them. We cannot be part of that which allows for idle words to be unchecked. We must remove the idle talk or remove ourselves. We cannot be pacifists partaking in a group that allows leaven without sharing in the guilt of the whole lump. "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?... Remove the bad person from among yourselves." (1 Cor. 5) For as we have seen, if we tolerate their graceless words then we will have to "partake with them" in "the wrath of God". Who therefore will continue to "stand" or "sit" or "walk" with such people against the first Psalm? Even if there be one idle talker who is allowed to pollute our ears, who will agree with those who allow them to do such?

If you have come out from the world and your life and love is born of God you will understand by experience these words: "For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light." We had all formerly walked in darkness, but if we are now God's children we are in the Light. Many professing Christians suppose that we are still in moral darkness just as the world; but whatever they may call themselves they are not "children of the Light" and "inheritors of the kingdom of Christ and God."

"For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." This is as we have seen above. It is the people of darkness that hide the work and prevent the mission of the Spirit to give grace to the world through us at all times. There is never an idle moment or word with each of God's people and they are always trying to make the best of every opportunity. It is contrary to their new nature to allow for even the slightest idle word or attitude. But does this attitude find itself in the structure of the email lists or churches today? Is it even pretended? Is not the modern professing church generally considered the habitation of sinners expecting to be gradually reformed and never emancipated?

"Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them." Paul again instructs us not to participate in these graceless works, contrary to popular opinion today that claims we cannot even know if someone is doing anything sinful. And the context is not even about the grossest abominations but rather idle words, and here "unfruitful works" not pleasing to God's will--anything less fruitful to His kingdom or glorifying to His name. But in our day we even tolerate unclean professors of Christianity of the worst sort! Paul is not loveless when he commands us to expose all the works of darkness rather than gradually reform it. "For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret." No profession of Christianity should be accepted and fellowshipped with which would not be suitable to continue in heaven. Now there is a carefulness and wisdom in the proper timing of such exposure and we are certainly not bound to go around on a mad mission of rebuking every sin we see. I mean when people have manifested many sins, we cannot be expected, and Christ did not live a life, that named every detail observed. Nevertheless, we are not to participate in any of the unfruitful works of darkness; but when opportunity is best, to expose it in a way consistent with benevolence and holiness.

If we are not thus exposing the darkness then we are not the light, and prefer the darkness more than the light. "But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything visible is light." If we cover up what God says and the truth about people's dark deeds then it remains invisible and acceptable to those who thus prefer to say hush hush. No one ever got free from the darkness until their deeds were first exposed by the light--no matter how hard it seemed or felt. "For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" Once people are exposed by the light then they are ready to have Christ shine on and in them. Their darkness can be overcome as soon as they awake from their sleep and are exposed by the light and Christ takes His place. But as long as any darkness is covered, Christ will not thus shine and the soul will continue to sleep in death.

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." Never an idle or silly moment, never should there be given second best words. No words are considered appropriate that would not be fitting for an angle sent on a long-term mission to this earth. People all around are in darkness and all their plans are thus idle. Our mission is to wisely expose this--yet not abusively, prejudicially, or mockingly. For example, who can suppose that Jesus assumed more evil in His enemies than was real or manifest? One of the most grieving things to witness is when people on the side of the truth feel thus justified in supposing all manner of evil unverified that they would not think fair to listen to against their friends. Or who could support brash and proud methods of displaying the truth that so many teachers and apologists fall into? No, Paul would not think these were of the truth, and he would expose them.

"So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." The book of Proverbs will show us fully what a fool is, and this chapter illustrates the same. A fool does and says things that God would not have him do. A fool writes or speaks idle words that should have been better and in harmony with the Spirit's mission. A fool, because he does not prefer "the will of the Lord" over the desires of man, will suddenly find himself in his own place with his own people far from God whom he did not really care for.

"And do not get drunk with wine, which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." This is the focus of our fellowship and the contrast to the carnal fellowship of many today. We notice that he says this "melody with your heart is to the Lord." For no person fellowshipping with darkness and partaking in the conversation of idle takers, joking friends, or bitter defenders of truth can make melody with their heart to the Lord. They might be able to sing these lovely songs to each other and to themselves, as so many churches do, but not to the Lord. They might "understand all mysteries" and give their bodies to be burned for the truth, but if they partake in idle conversation they will only be allowing people to "deceive them" as we have seen. No, rather only that melody with a heart acceptable in heaven is to the Lord.

And shall we stumble by the implications of this word? Shall we close our hearts from prayerful consideration of these plan words because it does not accord with popular or general experience? Consider the man who first gave us this teaching. Was that not the day when the church was the purest? to which every scholar tries to reconstruct in order to interpret every teaching? And did not Paul walk alone at times when many went astray? No doubt he knew the full force of his expression when he said "let God be true and every man a liar!" He knew well the history of the Israelites when the whole company in the wilderness perished in unbelief. We should not stumble at this in our day when luxury, greed, and efficiency have been preferred by the church for holiness, sacrifice, quality, and separation from the world.

My friends, "keep yourselves from idols."

See also: Charles Finney on Governing the Tongue.
See also: Asa Mahan on Church Discipline.
See also: William Goodell on Come-outism and Come-outers.