THE HOLY LOGIC OF CHRISTIAN SPEECH-ACT

We have already established the fact that God Himself is the source, foundation, and motivation of Christian speech-act. God is a talking God. His word is creative, active, and relative. Those who experienced a redemptive encounter with Him through the Gospel are never the same again – they were born again. And as children of God, the presence of their heavenly Father through the Spirit transforms not only their character but their conversations. St. Peter said,

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Redemption put the believer in a covenant relationship.

The conversation has been transformed because the nature or character has been redeemed. Redemption put the believer in a covenant relationship. Thus, the character and manner of his conversation should reflect the relationship that he is in. This is the holy logic of Christian speech-act. Paul calls this in his own term as a “reasonable service” to God. In Rom. 12:1-2 this is what he said.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Not only that the Christian conversation should reflect the covenant-relationship with God, it’s also an expression of worship. A Christian conversation is a worship service to Jesus Christ. In everything you say and do, you do it “all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17). The moment a Christian realizes this truth, his conversation will never be the same again.

Of course, because of the influence of the world and of our own human nature, we are always tempted or inclined to express the contents of our hearts as our Old Nature incites us to. But if through submission to the Spirit we nullify the work of the flesh, our speech-act will be evangelistic and spiritual. This is the reason why it is so important that a Christian have a daily devotion with God through prayer and meditation. There’s power in God’s presence that conditions both our minds and senses so that we don’t lower down our guard against temptation.

Take for example the situation when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane while his three head-disciples were soundly sleeping on the corner. The story is found in Mt. 26:36-40. There you’ll read how the disciples failed to join Jesus in prayer. Jesus told them, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Our determination must be inspired and energized by God’s holy presence.

The point is: We cannot belittle the effect of prayer to the Christian life. We need the energy of God’s presence to live a life of holy speech-act. It is impossible for the flesh – human determination – to do this alone. Our determination must be inspired and energized by God’s holy presence. Without this, our speech-act will be polluted by worldly ideologies and practices. Thus, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”