October 2013
How to begin...Recently I've asked the Lord, to show my why "cuss words" are truly unacceptable. It seems like a strange question I know, but lately I feel like it is really relevant that I have a strong understanding on the topic. Based on the reality that I'm starting to meet people who use "filthy" words, or listen to them, without flinching. And let's be honest, when you begin to hear or read these words over and over again, as much as you try to eliminate their mark, your brain starts to consider them as word choices. Now, I'm not saying that I personally am desensitized to "foul language", because if I could have my way I'd put a bar of soap in the mouths of all those who need a cleaning. But, the truth remains, words get stuck in our heads...and some people just think that "swearing" or throwing out some off color words is not only acceptable, but powerful.
Why do I say "powerful"? Well, one reason is that, a lot of people use dirty or rebellious words to prove their points. They feel bad, well they need to express how "bad" they really feel...Words have power, sometimes more than we give them credit for. We all could agree that words can either lift up or tare down.
But what is more powerful is the motivation behind the words, which is what forms them. What is at the root of why people use crude words? Well, let's step back a moment...
Most of us who grew up in good Christian homes were taught not to "curse", and didn't hear those words around our houses. But perhaps when we stepped off "home plate" we were introduced with such language at school or by meeting people who didn' t hold the same standards as us or our Parents. Yet, there are other ways we may have picked up dirty words, whether in music, in movies, or on TV...A lot of Parents, especially after their children reach a certain age, do not monitor or even know what sort of media their offspring are being taught/influenced by.
What I've noticed about these 'words' that are often called 'curse words' or 'profain words'. They are 'judgmental', 'dirty' and or 'hopeless'- in their definitions. No, I'm not just judging them from my own perspective. Just look up the definitions. And any man that truly considers words will tell you that calling someone a 'name' is obviously either 'judgmental', 'insensitive', or 'careless'.
Some people enjoy 'name calling' using these lower class words, but they excuse themselves by saying "I don't mean it"...
I grew up being taught that as the bible says "Let your nay be nay, and your yes be yes"...Do not say things you do not mean. Mean what you say, so that men can trust your words.
To me there is 4 types of people who use 'dirty words'.
1. The Person Who Knows Better, but slips up
2. The Person Who Isn't Convicted/convinced they are wrong
3. The Person Who Doesn't know better, is naive
4. The Filthy Minded Person
5. The Rebel - Who Knows better, but purposefully opposes
Now back to my point...What is that 'power' behind "curse words"? And what is the 'motivation' behind "crude words"? If there has been something that God has shown me more over recent years, is that the way we judge something to be right or wrong, is by it's motivation, and it's purpose. So here's the question to those who do use the "lesser vocabulary", or let a word slip out in anger from time to time....How do you feel when you say an off color or filthy word? How does it feel as it comes out of your mouth? Think about this. I'm not asking you whether or not it makes you feel 'guilty' or not. I'm asking you what you think is the motivation behind that word spoken. When something doesn't go as you'd like for it to go, when you get stuck in traffic on the way to an important meeting, when you trip over your younger sibling's toys and end up in pain...and the first thing that comes out of your mouth is a negative reply...I'd say 'anger' is a big motivator for speaking filthy words.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. - Prov 14:29
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Ecc 7:9
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of men does not produce the righteousness of God. - James 1:19-20
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Prov 16:32
Matthew 5:21-23 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Words spoken in anger are dangerous. Words spoken in anger can be all together filthy. God would rather us keep our mouths shut when we are angry and not open them in wrath.
But what are some other reasons we will speak perverse, ugly or just dirty words?
1. Anger
2. Selfishness
3. Rebellion
4. Bitterness
5. Filthiness
I know I'm not going to have enough time to cover each one of these categories I've mentioned...so for now now I will just leave you with this thought. That a emotions and motivations are what determine and cause words to come forth. So we should be willing to check our hearts, and look beyond the surface as to 'why' we do what we do. And as Ephesians 4:29 says "Let not any unwholesome word come forth from thy mouth, but only that which is uplifting and fitting....Let us speak words of life, and words of beauty. It definitely makes a difference.
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