The Apostle Paul: Watch your language

Pastor Alice Warness

by Pastor Alice Warness & United Methodist Church
| August 16, 2015 6:05 AM

My daughter and her husband decided to have a new roof put on their house.

Everything was going great until my daughter heard the installation crew using language that was inappropriate for her three year old daughter to hear. She asked them to stop, and the crew boss told her they were sorry and would stop immediately.

Such polite actions are not always the case. I personally have had people cuss at me when I ask them to stop using bad language in my presence. I have also had them act like I had offended them with my request.

Either reaction makes me want to offer them a dictionary so they can find other adjectives to use.

Last year, a friend of mine, who is in a higher end job in our community, told me that I needed to "desensitize" myself to the "F" word. He said it is part of our society, and I needed to get used to it.

Wow, Really? If that is true, maybe I don't want to be part of our society.

The bible says that Christians are held to a higher standard in their speech. Ephesians 4:29 says "No foul language is to come from your mouth but only what is good for building up someone in need so that it gives grace to those who hear" (HCSB).

Paul didn't say you should try to keep your language clean, but rather he just stated emphatically to not use bad language. Don't do it!

I know that it is hard for some people. We hear these words everyday on TV, in the grocery lines, at ball games and a million other places.

But if you claim to be a Christian and someone hears you use this kind of language, that person will consider you a hypocrite. You will lose your ability to be the face of Christ.

Don't let others dictate how you should act or what you should say. Read the bible and decided for yourself.

Reading also affects our language. We need to be careful that what we read is worthy of our Lord and Savior. I personally love to read. I am always buying books or using the library.

The other day, I purchased a book that looked like it would be great but after a few pages in, I put it down. I could not justify reading the great story line when it used profanity in every other sentence. I threw it away.

I chose to honor God.

I encourage you to not be shy when it comes to standing up for your beliefs. If you are offended by someone's language, then say so. Early Christians had to take a stand, and it wasn't any easier for them than it is for us.

Lastly, it makes the Holy Spirit unhappy when our language doesn't reflect what we say we believe. Ephesians 4:30 says "Don't grieve the Holy Spirit, you were sealed by Him for the day of redemption."

In other words, if you are a Christian, then let your language reflect that.