Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. - Ephesians 4:29
Foul language is not a popular subject matter these days. Our current culture has taken it to a new low. Case in point: try to find a movie in any genre that doesn’t have objectionable words. Work places, school yards and social media have become inundated with swearing for its trendy appeal and underscoring way to emphasize emotions. The language is all around us and the more we hear it, the more desensitized we become to it.
The words we speak, however, are ours to choose. How we express ourselves is completely up to us. As believers, we’re set apart from the practices of the world and are in the lifelong process of growing to become more like Christ. Our lives should look—and sound—distinct from the rest of the world—more positive, more uplifting. We have an opportunity to choose not to participate in the cultural language we hear around us—in short, to be different. Different enough that people will notice. Different enough that it might just lead to a conversation. And who knows—that conversation might just lead to Jesus.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father in heaven, draw near to us on this matter and help us to be discerning about the words we use. If there are words we should abandon from our vocabulary, make us mindful of them and give us the ability to make the necessary changes. Help us to use our words in positive ways that bless and uplift the people around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.