- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,081
Garbage Mouth - March 03, 2007
"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
Many people today suffer from a terrible affliction called "garbage mouth." The sad thing about it is that many are oblivious to their own sickness.
"Oh, swearing is just part of the culture now," says Tyrell, "Everybody is doing it!"
"Don't be so uptight!" shouts Tonya, "It's just words!"
Our world has such diverse and beautiful languages. Open a dictionary and millions of words to express how we think, feel and act are depicted within the pages. So too do those who hold diplomas and degrees pride themselves in their higher education.
We claim to be a civilized nation, and yet, to listen to how we often chose to express ourselves; opting cheap, gutter and street language, one would never know we are the intelligent and advanced people we claim.
"Hey! It's not about brains, it's about sounding cool!" says Marvin, "All the hip rappers and gangstas talk like that!"
Wanting to be popular, liked, and be part of the "in-crowd" is understandable. However, is swearing so important that we are willing to place it even before our own character and standards, not to mention the fact those around us may find it very offensive and insulting?
The truth of the matter is that not everyone finds curse words funny, cute, or cool. More importunately, in His word, the Bible, God clearly tells us, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (James 1:26) We are also told, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." (James 3:9-10)
Dear friend, words DO mean things, even when we may think they don't.
Calling a child an idiot can hurt to the core, and when an angry husband shouts to his wife, "You never do anything right! Why don't you just crawl away and die!" you can bet those words also hurt just as much as a physical blow.
Friends, just because curse words don't seem to hurt 'you, ' doesn't mean there aren't others in ear-shot who are silently offended. More importantly, GOD hears, and it is important enough for Him to have made sure this message was put forth in the Bible many times.
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."
- Luke 6:45
As the above Bible verse reveals, the language we use shows others (and God) the type of person we are.
Let us love one another, as God commands; not just by deed, but even in the sweetness and thoughtfulness of our speech.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am tired of feeling like a polluted vessel who is full of corruption. It is my desire to be washed clean so that I may begin anew, and be an honor to You, as well as my self. This I ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations.
For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
"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
Many people today suffer from a terrible affliction called "garbage mouth." The sad thing about it is that many are oblivious to their own sickness.
"Oh, swearing is just part of the culture now," says Tyrell, "Everybody is doing it!"
"Don't be so uptight!" shouts Tonya, "It's just words!"
Our world has such diverse and beautiful languages. Open a dictionary and millions of words to express how we think, feel and act are depicted within the pages. So too do those who hold diplomas and degrees pride themselves in their higher education.
We claim to be a civilized nation, and yet, to listen to how we often chose to express ourselves; opting cheap, gutter and street language, one would never know we are the intelligent and advanced people we claim.
"Hey! It's not about brains, it's about sounding cool!" says Marvin, "All the hip rappers and gangstas talk like that!"
Wanting to be popular, liked, and be part of the "in-crowd" is understandable. However, is swearing so important that we are willing to place it even before our own character and standards, not to mention the fact those around us may find it very offensive and insulting?
The truth of the matter is that not everyone finds curse words funny, cute, or cool. More importunately, in His word, the Bible, God clearly tells us, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (James 1:26) We are also told, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." (James 3:9-10)
Dear friend, words DO mean things, even when we may think they don't.
Calling a child an idiot can hurt to the core, and when an angry husband shouts to his wife, "You never do anything right! Why don't you just crawl away and die!" you can bet those words also hurt just as much as a physical blow.
Friends, just because curse words don't seem to hurt 'you, ' doesn't mean there aren't others in ear-shot who are silently offended. More importantly, GOD hears, and it is important enough for Him to have made sure this message was put forth in the Bible many times.
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."
- Luke 6:45
As the above Bible verse reveals, the language we use shows others (and God) the type of person we are.
Let us love one another, as God commands; not just by deed, but even in the sweetness and thoughtfulness of our speech.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am tired of feeling like a polluted vessel who is full of corruption. It is my desire to be washed clean so that I may begin anew, and be an honor to You, as well as my self. This I ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations.
For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
:rainbow: :rose:
