A different language

I used to do my share of swearing. Maybe it was mostly in my own head, but occasionally something would “slip out”. Not a lot, compared to some people, I had a couple girlfriends at my last job that made the stereotypical “sailor” sound like a little kid. Now, you may read this and think, “How sad…” or you may read this and think, “That’s me, too.”

What I have noticed since high school is that a disturbing amount of so-called Christians cling to (or even introduce) forms of offensive language into their talk. I knew people who would talk about God in one conversation, then turn right around and use a deluxe set of four-letter words in the next. Why? Well, maybe because it helps you to blend in. Maybe it is fun for the shock value. Maybe it is because you really do not care about what you do, and your language is a great way to show it. Whatever the reason, if you are a Christian, one thing you should know is that God calls us to a radical standard, one that is so completely different from everyone else, and on purpose!

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips (Proverbs 4:24).

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (Colossians 3:8)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:31).

People who do not care about language show a lot of what they think about God. And since God cares about your language, for you not to care is you showing you don’t care about God every time you swear, whether you “let something slip” or said it on purpose. A changed life exhibits changed speech. It doesn’t matter if somebody made you mad, you stubbed your toe, you dropped your $300 cell phone, or you are trying to make people laugh. This is yet another thing we are to cast off. Watch your mouth, and remember-- Christians speak a different language.