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A PEOPLE OF PURE SPEECH

by willetta pilcher  
1/13/2010 / Christian Living

James 3:7-10 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Speech... most of us never think about our words... what they sound like, how they effect others, what they mean, we just talk.

There used to be an old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never harm me." Whoever came up with that old saying no doubt meant well but it is a very false statement. Words do hurt. Bones generally heal. Words may stay with us throughout our lives. Who is there among us that does not remember something said to us by a parent, teacher, mate, pastor, or other significant person in our lives. Perhaps we even remember the words of a stranger.

James has in mind the mixture that appears in much of our speech. It is true, we hear speech all around us (tv, radio, music, friends, school-mates, fellow workers, etc) and if we are not careful we pick up what we hear without even thinking of its content or meaning.

James mentions cursing... Most would loudly proclaim, "I don't curse or swear!" Let's consider some very common words that have been substituted for swearing. It is called slang. [The dictionary says slang is words, expressions, and usages that are casual, vivid, racy, or playful replacements for standard ones and are usually considered unsuitable for formal contexts. If they aren't acceptable for formal contexts why accept them as acceptable language, especially for Christians] Gosh (God), golly, (God) heck (hell), darn (damn), holy mollie (Holy Spirit), Gee Whiz (Jesus): Then there are words like crap, pissed, shit, fuck, poop, fart, you get the picture. Frankly, I feel defiled simply writing them and yet we hear them all the time and from the mouths of Christians. The reason I write them is because the only way some people understand is to put it in writing.

Paul admonished in the scripture, Col 4:5-6 "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."

As Christians we need to take the word of God seriously and begin to apply it to our lives. I hear some scream "legalism." Most of the time that simply means, "I don't want to live by anybodies rules." But Jesus said, Jn 14:15 "If you love me, obey my commandments." In other words, obey out of love, not just because you have to. Christians say they love God... Ok, then should we not talk like it!

Willetta has spent most of her life ministering to people. In her late seventies, and a wheelchair now her mode of travel, she now ministers to people through the internet. Her webs are...
www.teachmethyways.org
www.successwithkids.org
www.theseedsower.org

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