05/06/2020
How well are we at bridling our tongues? We might control whether we tell lies, or slander someone, but have we gained control over speaking foul words, profanity, or God forbid, taking the Lord’s name in vain? We know these words, so they have already tainted us to some degree, and we hear them spoken daily in common conversation, so we are tempted to use them ourselves. Since this is one way that a Christian is perceived by those around him, let’s ask ourselves... “Have I dirtied, and stained my cloak of righteousness with the filthy words I speak?”
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””
Matthew 12:36-37 ESV
Foul language doesn’t necessarily indicate an evil thought, as a matter of fact those that curse as a matter of course intersperse those words and phrases without so much as a thought. You have heard this over and over again... someone stumps their toe and says “That hurt like sh#t!!” No thinking person would say this because it is nonsense! The word has been used as a habit of speech. Words can also take what to many of us might be considered an instantaneous prayer, like calling out the name “Jesus!”, and turn it into absolute vulgarity... “Jesus &$#%* Christ!”. Take your own name and interject that word into it, then ask yourself how you would feel about someone shouting that out. Words matter, even when they are said out of habit, or without thinking.
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Luke 6:45 ESV
I was raised on military posts throughout the country, and across the globe. Let me tell you that an army base is the cesspool of the spoken language. Walking amongst soldiers I heard every expression of filthy language known to man, sometimes I thought that they took pride in it. Foul language was interjected into conversation where one would have to really work hard to make it fit! As a result I inadvertently became an understudy of this art form. My mother and father abhorred cussing, and I was spanked and corrected many times for using it, but the very next day I was right back in the midst of it. When I gave my heart to Jesus language was my greatest challenge. I tried to live a righteous life, and yet, because I could fluently speak the language of a fool, and a sinner, it would resurface from time to time...
“Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.”
Proverbs 19:1 ESV
I lived in Germany for several years and learned to speak the German language. I wasn’t fluent in it, but could get my point across in conversation. When we returned to the United States I stopped speaking that language, and over the years I completely lost the ability to do so. Oh, I could remember a word here and there, but for the most part it was gone. As a Christian I made every effort to stop cussing, but unlike my German, I continued to hear it at every turn... movies, television, on the street, in business, just about everywhere; even from fellow believers on occasion. So gaining control over this took a great deal of effort, and I worked hard to separate myself from it. How are you doing in this regard, are you able to separate yourself?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
When we move about in life and want to speak to someone about Jesus, and to tell them the good news of His gospel, we have a special need to present ourselves righteously. When I hear a person cussing, it is like a pebble in my shoe, and makes me wince. If it does that to me as a believer who knows their beliefs, then how must it affect those who aren’t aware of their faith? Do those words diminish your ability to witness? Do they make you look insincere? A single obscene word can unravel months of witnessing.
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
Colossians 3:8 ESV
So if you are having issues with your language, and need assistance with removing obscenity from your everyday vocabulary, then do this... surround yourself with those who are likeminded, and who abhor foul language. Pray each day that the Lord would put a pebble in your shoe whenever you hear, or speak, a vulgar word. Ask forgiveness when a word slips out in anger, or surprise, and finally... act as though you are talking with Jesus standing beside you when you are in everyday conversation.
“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?”
James 3:10-11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who shows us the way to righteousness, and who had His tongue under control always. Help us Father as we strive to control our speech, and to remove all obscenity from our language. We walk all the day long in the midst of those who give little thought to their words, so we ask that you Holy Spirit Guide us through them, and shield us against such thoughts and language. Make us wince at the sound of vulgarity Father, and whether it be our own tongues, or another’s that spews it forth... let it cause us pain, and turn our heads from it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose every word is perfect, and well chosen. Great are you who teaches us that our tongues give utterance to our hearts. Praised be your name for every day in which we control our language, and honor you. Each of our victories over worldliness is to your glory Father, and we pray today that you remove us from temptation, and deliver us from evil, so that we might glorify you more. Help us by your mercy and grace to deliver the gospel of Jesus to those who need to hear it, and to do so without being hindered by our own shortcomings. Holy Father bridle our tongues, and give us strength as we struggle against our own tongues. Let our words please you now, and forevermore!
“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 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.”
James 3:2-10 ESV
Rich Forbes