Conversation: It's A Lot More Than Yakking

 

Isa 6:5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."

Isaiah has been stunned by the awareness of his utterly sinful condition in the presence of the holiness of God! I think it would be useful here to look at an old and basically unused definition of the word, “conversation.”

In modern usage, we have limited its definition to the dialogue spoken amongst people. But years ago the word was used to depict conduct or behavior. The King James version of the Bible uses the word 20 times in that vein! Do you see the value in uncovering this definition again as it relates to this passage? The lips in this passage then become a barometer of the behavior of men.

 

Let me give you some examples from the Scriptures on the use of the word, “conversation”

 Ps 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. {such...: Heb. the upright of way}

Ga 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

  Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

  Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Now we get a better understanding of why Isaiah was bewailing the unclean condition of his lips. Isaiah was basically confessing that his behavior, his conduct, his “conversation” and the conversation of his people was unclean or sinful in the sight of God!

 

Something has to be done about this condition or Isaiah will have to leave, the presence of God.

 

More on that next time. For now, what would unbelievers (Gentiles) say about your conversation in this world? Is it God-honoring and worthy of the Gospel by which you were saved?

 

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.