Strong Language
I read a best-selling “Christian” novel. While this book has been getting rave reviews, I was shocked to read the vulgarity spoken by characters in the book. May I ask when it became cool for a Christian to cuss?
Following the Lord’s example
We have been born from above, not beneath. We don’t need to speak dirt to sound tough. Since when is it more macho to use some form of the word “manure” to describe a pile of junk? Do we think it intensifies our speech to punctuate stories with words that allude to sex? When discussing a bad business deal, we should not have to use phrases that indicate improper scenes and concepts.
Click here to see a list of words Christians should not say.
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good” (III John 1:11).
God’s people should not speak evil
The flippant use of the word “hell” has crept into socially acceptable use in mainstream media and even around children. Of course, people who claim to be religious avoid using that exact term, so they call it by the pet name “heck.” You do not have the power to give heck or hell, even if you wanted to.
Why would anyone want to damn anything? Even if my car breaks down on the side of the road, will it help to call God’s damnation on it? The same is true for “lite” cuss words like darn, dang, and the dyslexian “dagummit.”
Accidental ways people insult God
We should take special care not to defy our Lord. When surprised, shouting, “Oh my God” is not prayer but vain use. We should only use the phrase “Jesus Christ” in worship to Him or when telling others about His goodness. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, but this strong language only works properly when we reverence Him. We need to stop even the low-carb version of profanity: Gosh, Gee, and Geez come too close to trivializing my best Friend.
Find hope for more powerful expressions
We don’t need to imitate worldly expressions. In writing, edited words carry the most power. The more God-less expressions we leave out, the stronger our language will be. Jesus said to stop making oaths and let our yes’s and no’s do the job. With words, less means more.
James 3:13 tells us we can cure this vocal disease: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
Learn more about how you impact others with your words and actions in a six-day, interactive devotional.
4 Comments
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[…] Even some Christians have a habit of saying, “Oh my God!” or “For Christ’s sake!” Strong language weakens the reputation of a believer. We do not have to call God as a witness if we are truthful in […]
so true! i have to address the OMG with a 28 ur old “child” of mine
prayers they accept it in love and conviction from Holy Spirit to change
*yr (not ur)
and thank you for this article!!
sharing on FB