Speaking With Honour What Do Coarse Jokes And Dirty Language Have To Do With My Recovery?
Thursday October 5, 2017
Today we hear so much profanity in music, in movies, on the street, and in print that it almost seems it’s the normal way to talk. A great deal of swearing includes references to bodily functions or ugly labels of body parts. These are used as a slur and are intended to hurl filth and negativity on a person. Movie producers have often rationalized the presence of profanity in movies as being a more realistic expression of what people say or do in the scenes they are portraying. Their observation of human interaction may be accurate but God’s commandment is that we abstain from such talk.
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Ephesians 5:4 NLT)
We need to ask ourselves if we honour God with the content of our speech. Stories and jokes may celebrate and honour a person or, they may degrade a person’s race or their ethnic culture. Traditional roles such as that of a mother-in-law have been the focus of many jokes which demean a beautiful family relationship. Many stories in the comedy routine of a stand-up comic have sexual undertones and are demeaning to both males and females. They may draw lots of laughter from the audience but the Bible encourages us to have no part in this kind of talk. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. (Colossians 3:8 NLT)
Moments of anger, disappointment, and frustration are filled with the temptation to speak dishonourably. It is so easy to shame and curse a person in reaction to what they have said or done. This is not God’s way of dealing with problems. God wants us to reason together, to forgive and to bless. When we speak, God wants us to encourage and uplift others. Perhaps it is time to be mindful of words that easily flow from our mouths.
And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! (James 3:10 NLT)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Set a guard over my lips and help me be mindful of the words that come from my mouth. Amen
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