Christians who have to come in contact with the unsaved in the factory, the office, or the school are often confronted with the trying situation of not knowing just what to do about the filthy conversation that falls upon their ears. We cannot go out of the world until it is the Lord's time, so we must face these situations. Nor can we change the world; it is "this present EVIL world." Satan is its god and prince and he controls people through the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life. The world has an outward appearance of respectability and morality, but underneath is an abundance of corruption and violence. Very many foul and impure acts are committed, and these are often rehearsed within the hearing of the child of God. And there are people who have not committed such things themselves who enjoy hearing and telling such stories.
Surely a Christian ought to feel distressed when he finds himself present at rehearsals of moral depravity, often coupled with profanity. The filthy conversation of the wicked, and the vile jokes, must fall like a dead weight on the soul of him who seeks to please his Lord. The deeds of darkness cannot be welcomed by those who are the children of light. Then what can or should the child of God do in such circumstances?
Now there is never a problem or a difficulty in the Christian pathway that cannot be answered by the Word of God. Truly it is the lamp for our feet and the light for our path (Psa. 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)). So then while we traverse the regions of darkness we need to be well acquainted with that which alone is divine light in order that we may not stumble. As a mariner consults his charts and compass, so should we be familiar with the only guide-book which can show us our way through an uncharted wilderness which is in an enemy's hand. As there are a number of points involved in the general subject we shall consider them separately.