The Martian: Everything you type is being broadcast live all over the world

Humans have landed on Mars to explore!

As part of the ARES 3 mission, six astronauts have established a base of operation at Acidalia Planitia for a planned month-long exploration.

However, after 18 sols(a solar day on Mars), an intense storm threatens to knock over the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), which would trap the astronauts on the planet.

After determining to make an emergency departure, the astronauts make their way through the storm to get to the MAV.

Unfortunately, Mark Watney is struck by blown debris. After the commander conducts a brief search, she joins the others inside the MAV and begins the long trip home.

On Sol 19, Mark Watney regains consciousness and returns to the habitat.

During the next 90 sols, he experiences many emotional ups and downs. He relies on his training to solve the problem.

Then, on Sol 109, Mark is able to contact NASA.

It takes a while until they can "email" back and forth with one another.

An Expression Of Pent Up Emotions

After finding out that from Vincent Kapoor, Director of the Mars Mission, his crewmates were not told he was alive, Mark's emotions get the best of him, and he sees an "F word" laced "email" back to NASA.

Vincent types back, "Mark, please watch your language. Everything you type is being broadcast live all over the world."

After Mark reads that, he replies, "Yeah?" and then proceeds to use more choice words in his next reply to NASA.

What, if anything, would change if everything we said was broadcasted for the world to hear?

What Kind Of Speech Should Christians Have?

Ephesians 4:29 states, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
But what does "corrupting" mean?

The word translated as corrupting is Strong's 4550. It is phonetically spelled as "sapros."

Original Word: σαπρός, ά, όν
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: sapros
Phonetic Spelling: (sap-ros')
Definition: rotten, worthless
Usage: rotten, useless, corrupt, depraved.

A transliteration of Ephesians 4:29 is "Any word ('sapros') out of the mouth of you not let go forth but if any good for edification of the need so that it may give grace to those hearing."

The Greek is "Pas logo sapros ek tou stomatos hymōn mē ekporeuesthō alla ei tis agatho pros oikodomēn tēs chreias hina dō charin tois akouousin."

Everything you type is being broadcast live all over the world.

What The Bible Teaches About Our Talk

Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us, "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." (emphasis added)

Paul instructs the Ephesians in 4:24," to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." He continues in verse 25, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."

Proverbs 27:5-6, "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."

In 2 Samuel 12:1-6, the Prophet Nathan comes to King David and shares a story about a rich man who took a poor man's lamb to serve a guest even though the rich man had many flocks and herds. David was angered by this story and said in verses 5 and 6, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." In verse 7a, we read, "Nathan said to David, "You are the man!" This is how the prophet rebuked the king for his affair with Bathsheba.

In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus gives us instructions on how to deal with a fellow believer who has sinned against us.

In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul shares a time when he needed to rebuke Cephas/Peter.

Later, in Galatians 6:1, Paul instructs us on how to gently rebuke someone who has committed any transgressions.

In 1 Peter 3:15-16 we are told," but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. "

In James 3:1-12, the brother of Jesus devotes most of the chapter to the power of the tongue. In verses 9 and 10, he laments, "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

Next Steps

How will you handle situations where you would normally tell a lie, even a "tiny white lie?"

How will you put away falsehoods and speak the truth?

Will you lovingly rebuke someone that is wrong? Will you be willing to accept a rebuke?

Will you use Jesus' instructions within your local church?

Will you prepare a ready defense for your faith before you need one?

What will you do to master your tongue?

It all starts with prayer!