I recently had a request for a post on the subject of cursing. After prayerful consideration and some research, I think approaching the subject from a broader perspective would be more beneficial. First, I'll discuss some prominent ways that speech and words can be used for evil. Then, I will contrast the previous points with some God-honoring and positive ways we can utilize the words of our mouth.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
There you have it folks. The Bible is pretty clear about what's right and wrong to be exiting your lips. Let's take a look at some problems we can run into.
1. Cursing. I think this is probably the most prevalent and easily identifiable violation of biblical standards of pure communication. I don't know of a single person who isn't guilty of cursing at some point or another. Our society as a whole doesn't see anything wrong with it. 4-letter words are thrown around as if they are merely an accepted addition to our social vocabulary. Not too long ago, I was just as guilty as anyone of interjecting mild profanity in with my speech. My excuse was that the Bible never specifically says, "don't say shit or ass or other 'bad' words." Well, that was a lame attempt at dodging blame for my sins. The Bible may not target individual words, but its intentions are clear: we will be held accountable for every single word that leaves our mouth.
It takes discipline and committment to eliminate these words from our vocabulary. It will be extremely difficult, especially when anger, frustration or shock (hammer VS thumb, etc.) comes into play. However, from personal experience, you can successfully remove those words from your mind. Pursuit of holiness isn't the only reason to be cleansing your vocabulary, far from it. Your future employer probably has no tolerance for profanity in the workplace. Your future spouse doesn't deserve to be subjected to it either. I'm sure the last thing you want is to be responsible for your future children to pick up some nice little additions to their word banks.
For the record, it's not that I'm offended by people cursing (taking God Almighty's name in vain in another matter), it's just that it shows a tremendous lack of intelligence. It also displays a total inability to accurately express yourself. Profanity is a cop-out for putting your mind in gear and finding the right word for the situation.
It's a real shame that certain cultures have allowed profanity to become so intertwined with their innate vocabulary that almost blends in seamlessly. I have friends who can't go 1 single sentence without strings of profanity and other crudeness. It disappoints me that we as a society have devolved so far that this isn't even a mainstream issue anymore. People have simply accepted this travesty as normal.
2. Crudeness / Vulgarity. In addition to overt profanity, crude descriptive words and vulgarities have slipped their way into our social consciousness. The moral standards have decayed to the point that these crudities are no longer scorned by the majority. Stand-up comedians now have audiences rolling in laughter over content that would have made the masses turn red with embarrassment little more than a generation ago.
Our standard of purity is the larger issue at stake here. The crudeness present in our collective vocabulary is merely a symptom of pervasive sin in our society. The only way to stop the advance of the vulgarity and these crude words is simply to decide to stop using them. Just determine in your heart to stop giving your ear to crude humor, entertainment choices, conversation, references or anything else you wouldn't be comfortable saying, watching or doing with your pastor and your grandmother. 'Nuff said.
3. Swearing. This is pretty cut and dried. Be a man or a woman of your word. Do not swear by anything on Earth or above or under it. Jesus is very clear on this subject: Matt. 5:37 - "Let your 'yes' be 'yes', and your 'no' be 'no'". Developing a reputation as a man or woman worthy of trust is difficult, but definitely worthwhile. Once you have stood by your word enough times, people will begin to just trust and believe you when you say something. Standing by your word is a big part of integrity. I have a very hard time showing love and mercy to liars, but we have all been guilty of it at one point. It's an area God is growing me in.
4. "Foolish talk". Holy cow. I think Proverbs says more about words and wisdom than any other book in the Bible. Prov. 10:19 - "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." First off, I'm the chief of sinners here. More pointless, idiotic banter comes out of my mouth than most other people I know. I think we can put a whole bunch of stuff under the umbrella of "foolish talk." Many of the conversations that occur in any given spot on your campus probably fall in the this category. I think Proverbs is simply encouraging us to realize the power words hold and not to take them lightly.
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Enough with the bad. Now here's some ways your words can be used for God's purposes...
1. Worship. Psalm 19:14 - "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 29:2 - "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." The single most important thing your mouth can do is verbally give praise, honor, glory and worship to your Creator. Voicing your admiration, love and devotion to a Holy God is one of the primary methods we can worship. Put your mouth to good use, tell God how great He is. Thank Him for any of the myriad of blessings He's so graciously given you.
2. Encouragement. Job 16:5 - "But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief." I've said it before on here and I'm sure I'll say it a few more times before the end. Your words have tremendous power. They can bring life, peace, comfort, forgiveness, blessing, affirmation, sympathy, etc. You can be a light in a dark place. I saw a bumper sticker once that really stuck with me. It said simply...
"Be kind today, everyone is fighting their own battles."
Life is a struggle. No doubt. Even those of us who know the Truth and have found significance have a daily war to fight. Sin and Satan want to destroy us. My friends, you can be a beacon of warm, soothing light in the lives of those around you. A well placed compliment or encouraging word can change someone's entire day or week.
3. Teaching / Discipleship. Col. 1:28 - " We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." What's the point of becoming a strong and valiant warrior of the faith if you keep it all to yourself? We are commanded to bring up those around us in the teachings of Jesus Christ. My friends, we have a responsibility to speak truth into people's lives. This connects with a previous post about being confident and well-grounded in your faith. I guarantee you can find someone in your circle who could learn something from you. Those younger and less mature in the faith can gain from your wisdom and experience. First, you have to step up and be willing to be used by God in this way. It's not for everyone, God has surely called different people to different ministries. However, almost all of us will be parents someday. Your children will certainly need your guidance. I can't wait for the day when I get to lead my sons and daughters down the paths of righteousness. Prov. 22:6 - "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Joshua 24:15b - "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I hope you will ponder and meditate on the scripture and commentary I've offered in this post. Writing it has been a huge blessing to me, as I have been convicted of several areas I can definitely improve on.
"Go forth and do likewise..."
4. "Foolish talk". Holy cow. I think Proverbs says more about words and wisdom than any other book in the Bible. Prov. 10:19 - "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." First off, I'm the chief of sinners here. More pointless, idiotic banter comes out of my mouth than most other people I know. I think we can put a whole bunch of stuff under the umbrella of "foolish talk." Many of the conversations that occur in any given spot on your campus probably fall in the this category. I think Proverbs is simply encouraging us to realize the power words hold and not to take them lightly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enough with the bad. Now here's some ways your words can be used for God's purposes...
1. Worship. Psalm 19:14 - "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 29:2 - "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." The single most important thing your mouth can do is verbally give praise, honor, glory and worship to your Creator. Voicing your admiration, love and devotion to a Holy God is one of the primary methods we can worship. Put your mouth to good use, tell God how great He is. Thank Him for any of the myriad of blessings He's so graciously given you.
2. Encouragement. Job 16:5 - "But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief." I've said it before on here and I'm sure I'll say it a few more times before the end. Your words have tremendous power. They can bring life, peace, comfort, forgiveness, blessing, affirmation, sympathy, etc. You can be a light in a dark place. I saw a bumper sticker once that really stuck with me. It said simply...
"Be kind today, everyone is fighting their own battles."
Life is a struggle. No doubt. Even those of us who know the Truth and have found significance have a daily war to fight. Sin and Satan want to destroy us. My friends, you can be a beacon of warm, soothing light in the lives of those around you. A well placed compliment or encouraging word can change someone's entire day or week.
3. Teaching / Discipleship. Col. 1:28 - " We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." What's the point of becoming a strong and valiant warrior of the faith if you keep it all to yourself? We are commanded to bring up those around us in the teachings of Jesus Christ. My friends, we have a responsibility to speak truth into people's lives. This connects with a previous post about being confident and well-grounded in your faith. I guarantee you can find someone in your circle who could learn something from you. Those younger and less mature in the faith can gain from your wisdom and experience. First, you have to step up and be willing to be used by God in this way. It's not for everyone, God has surely called different people to different ministries. However, almost all of us will be parents someday. Your children will certainly need your guidance. I can't wait for the day when I get to lead my sons and daughters down the paths of righteousness. Prov. 22:6 - "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Joshua 24:15b - "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I hope you will ponder and meditate on the scripture and commentary I've offered in this post. Writing it has been a huge blessing to me, as I have been convicted of several areas I can definitely improve on.
"Go forth and do likewise..."
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