Language

I was reading some blogs today on my day off (which is when I do my blogging) and I ran across a blog that was talking about what language is appropriate for us to use as Christians. From my perspective, I think it is sad that we have to talk about this question so much. If you would like to read the blog I got this idea from, go to www.kendallball.net and look at the post on 3/21/05 titled "I Swear?". I thought my reply to his post might stimulate your own thoughts on the topic:

Ok, first of all, why is this topic such a popular topic of discussion? I’m just wondering who is raising this issue so much today anyway…popular author, speaker, random thought, etc. I agree with so much of what has already been said. Words do have power (otherwise, would we be having this discussion?), Philippians 4:8, Keith Riley’s & Keith Brenton’s comments, and thinking about the other words and phrases we use and what they convey. I guess my first question would be, “What’s the point (or your point) of cussing?” I guess I should mention the root of the words and that I guess in some ways the meanings are arbitrary or associated with being vulgar in some way. Some words we use in the US wouldn’t be as well received in other cultures. Still, for whatever reason, they carry a vulgar meaning in our society. I think it would be safe to say that we wouldn’t want our language to get in the way of bringing others to Jesus. Take a person I know here in town that doesn’t curse like a sailor, but uses expletives frequently…including God’s name. How anxious would I be to hear him tell me about Jesus if I didn’t know Him? Not much…he’s already turned me off to that. “But what if I don’t do it when anyone is around?” I totally agree with the comments people have made about keeping their language and thoughts (from the inside comes…Mark 7:23) in check at all times (see James 3). I don’t think that we should consciously live one way around others and one way by ourselves…and I’m not talking about the fact that we all have struggles that we work on…I’m talking about living a double standard. For instance, what if I had told myself that it was OK for me to curse when I am alone (which is a whole other topic anyway…it seems that people are always watching) but not around others? A couple of weeks ago I slammed my finger in my office door at church which is right by the lobby. I would have to say that if I let myself say those words when I was alone that my mind would have already sent an expletive to express my pain that would not have been well-received by the people in the lobby. That definitely would have had a negative effect on my ministry, especially with the teens. Let’s assume for a minute that curse words are unacceptable in society…which for a large segment they are. I think that using that language is a far cry from Paul saying that he would go so far as to not eat meat if it caused his brothers to stumble (Rm. 14:21, 1 Cor. 8:13). Jesus also warns us about causing little ones to sin (Matt. 18:6, see also 1 Cor. 10:32) and Paul warns us about doing the same. Paul also says lists as a quality for Elders that they should be above reproach (1 Tim. 3). Sure, you’re not an Elder and neither am I. I mess up often, but I believe that every Christian should aim to be above reproach. I believe that one of the main reasons that Paul said this quality is so that people wouldn’t look down on the church, and we should try not to hurt the church’s reputation also. If this is an area that can affect our witness potential (which I strongly believe it is), then we should do our best to not give Satan a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). Words are powerful, and even with the worst of language we probably can’t fully communicate to God our feeling, and that is where the Spirit helps us (Romans 8:26). Sure, a study may exist that say people who cuss are less stressed, but you can find a study to say pretty much anything you want and I don’t think this decision should be based on that (not saying that is the basis for your reasoning). From a personal standpoint, I have two groups of people that I disagree with. First, the people who think that cussing in public is OK because I think it sets a bad example, especially for children. There is a minister in my area who is gaining a slight reputation for using expletives in public (prayers in staff meetings, youth rallies, etc.) and I am really disappointed in his example…and the other youth workers and ministers who use curse words around me. I am also a bit disappointed with people who show disapproval for every word that people use to express frustration. I know of a lady who heard someone say, “stink” to express mild frustration and responded, “Oh really?” Raising a problem with “stink”??? Although I don’t approve of vulgar language to express frustration, I think there are some other more acceptable words that could be used and it irritates me when people want to throw out every word that people use. Sometimes I wonder if they know the struggle that people really face with language, especially with testosterone-driven teenage guys…not to discriminate against any other groups including girls.


Well, that was my reply to his post. We should be careful about the words that we use and I hope that this is helpful to you.