Post by Cindy on Sept 19, 2015 9:48:47 GMT -5
How can someone who says they're a Christian, use bad language or tell filthy jokes, when the Bible so clearly condemns it and even shows that as a trait of the unsaved? Oh, I can see how a word could slip out of their mouths at times, especially at first, but it's hard to see how they can actually type out those words and post them, or purposely choose to post graphics with that kind of language. What I've seen though, is worse then just a few words here and there. I see Christians glorying in things that are so obviously not of God, but rather of the world. Especially things like lust, sex, lies, drinking, and getting revenge; but then, come to think about it, that's what most of today's TV shows and songs are about aren't they?
Don't they understand what a horrible witness that is to the unsaved? Now I understand why I hear so many of the unsaved refer to Christians in general and even specifically, as hypocrites. Does Jesus mean so little to them?
What about being a role model for our children and/or grandchildren? What are we really teaching them? And how about fellow Christians, don't they realize that they're potentially also causing others to stumble? I used to swear and do all of that and it's very easy to fall back into, especially if you have to listen to it every day. That's why I shelter myself from it. I don't want to hear it or see it. Don't they know too that it grieves the Holy Spirit and that Jesus has warned us that we will be judged for every careless word that comes out of our mouths because our words show what's really in our hearts.
What I've been seeing really distresses me for them. The Bible is very clear that we're not to use that kind of language.
James 3:9–11 —With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. *Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. *Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? *
Ephesians 5:4 —Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. *
Ephesians 4:29–30 —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. *And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. *
Matthew 12:36–37 —But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. *For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” *
Luke 6:45 —The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. *
Yet once we've started swearing, it can be hard to stop. I think it's often because we don't have anything to "replace" the words with that will express what we're feeling. Usually we swear because of anger, frustration, sudden and unexpected pain, sudden and unexpected fright, fright in general, hurt feelings, for shock effect, and out of habit. So there's quite a lot of reasons we do it, but most seem to be due to intense feelings.
A devotional I was reading awhile ago though gave me an idea of something we could do to make it much easier to stop swearing without using other words instead. The devotional actually dealt with how our Lord dealt with emotional pain when His heart was troubled and when He was crucified. It really hit home with me because I live with constant pain. When dealing with his emotional pain, he didn't lash out, he didn't complain, he didn't swear. He prayed and when He spoke, this is what He said: John 12:28 Father, glorify your name!”
Reflecting on that, I realized that we could simply say that same thing instead of swearing. We could say it, and mean it. So instead of swearing, we'd be asking God to glorify His Name, which is a good thing and a wonderful prayer! I gave it a try myself and instead of saying something like "gosh darn it", I simply said, "Father, Glorify Your Name!" When I did that I found it not only prevented me from swearing or using any kind of vulgar or coarse words, but it totally changes my emotions and thoughts immediately!!! What better thing to do or ask then to ask Him to glorify His Name in whatever pain, anger, hurt, or whatever, that I'm experiencing at the moment? What better way to change my attitude instantly too!
You know, thinking about all this made me realize something else. When our Lord was flogged, tortured and crucified, I would think that if there was ever in this world a legitimate cause for swearing, or using vulgar or coarse language, that would be it! But He didn't! Not one "bad" word came out of our Lord's mouth. In the gospels we can read every word He spoke from that evening at the last supper until the moment He died, and He did not utter any word that would be offensive to use in front of a little child at any time.
I am not by any means trying to be legalistic here or in any of the studies I do. I am very simply presenting what the Bible says as I try to learn from it what His Will is for how I should live, just as He tells us we are to do. I'm not talking about "rules" and "laws" here. Or at least not "only" about those. I don't know about others, but I want to live in such a way that my life here and now is pleasing to my Lord who gave His life for me. Like a little child, I want to please my Heavenly Father and I want Him to be pleased with me! Being obedient to my Lord brings me great joy! It's when I fail Him that I'm miserable and in tears!
It's kind of funny but most people are scared (and so was I) by the passages that tell us that we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross, and that in order to find our lives we have to first lose them.
Mark 8:34-35 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
The reason I say it's kind of funny is because it wasn't until I did begin to give up "my" life, my "self" and live for Him, that I began to consistently experience real joy! It took quite awhile, but I finally realized that when we give up our lives and live for Him instead, that's when He gives us a more abundant life! So what He says really makes sense, because when we lose "our" lives for Him, we begin living more abundantly then we would have ever known was possible before!
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
I don't understand how, but some folks don't seem to think there's anything at all wrong with using vulgar or coarse language, even though the bible clearly says we're not to do so, and just as clearly says we're to be just like Jesus. I've heard them say it's because Jesus accepts them just the way they are, which is very true. But they seem to forget that although He does accept us as we are, He also expects us to grow in our faith and act more and more like Him every day.
I would challenge anyone who thinks there's nothing wrong with it, to imagine themselves standing face to face with Jesus, feeling and seeing His total amazing perfect holiness and purity, both of which have been imputed to us and which we are to live by and act on, and imagine themselves using each of those words toward Him in exactly the same manner they would normally use them in their life now. I don't believe anyone who knows God could do such a thing - at least not and live through it! As for me, I cringe just considering thinking about it! Remember, THIS is who they'd be saying those things to:
Revelation 1:12-18 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Daniel 7:9-10 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Ezekiel 1:25-28 Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Exodus 15:11 “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
That God tells us:
Leviticus 20:7-8 “ ‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
Ephesians 4:22-5:7 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Don't they understand what a horrible witness that is to the unsaved? Now I understand why I hear so many of the unsaved refer to Christians in general and even specifically, as hypocrites. Does Jesus mean so little to them?
What about being a role model for our children and/or grandchildren? What are we really teaching them? And how about fellow Christians, don't they realize that they're potentially also causing others to stumble? I used to swear and do all of that and it's very easy to fall back into, especially if you have to listen to it every day. That's why I shelter myself from it. I don't want to hear it or see it. Don't they know too that it grieves the Holy Spirit and that Jesus has warned us that we will be judged for every careless word that comes out of our mouths because our words show what's really in our hearts.
What I've been seeing really distresses me for them. The Bible is very clear that we're not to use that kind of language.
James 3:9–11 —With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. *Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. *Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? *
Ephesians 5:4 —Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. *
Ephesians 4:29–30 —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. *And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. *
Matthew 12:36–37 —But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. *For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” *
Luke 6:45 —The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. *
Yet once we've started swearing, it can be hard to stop. I think it's often because we don't have anything to "replace" the words with that will express what we're feeling. Usually we swear because of anger, frustration, sudden and unexpected pain, sudden and unexpected fright, fright in general, hurt feelings, for shock effect, and out of habit. So there's quite a lot of reasons we do it, but most seem to be due to intense feelings.
A devotional I was reading awhile ago though gave me an idea of something we could do to make it much easier to stop swearing without using other words instead. The devotional actually dealt with how our Lord dealt with emotional pain when His heart was troubled and when He was crucified. It really hit home with me because I live with constant pain. When dealing with his emotional pain, he didn't lash out, he didn't complain, he didn't swear. He prayed and when He spoke, this is what He said: John 12:28 Father, glorify your name!”
Reflecting on that, I realized that we could simply say that same thing instead of swearing. We could say it, and mean it. So instead of swearing, we'd be asking God to glorify His Name, which is a good thing and a wonderful prayer! I gave it a try myself and instead of saying something like "gosh darn it", I simply said, "Father, Glorify Your Name!" When I did that I found it not only prevented me from swearing or using any kind of vulgar or coarse words, but it totally changes my emotions and thoughts immediately!!! What better thing to do or ask then to ask Him to glorify His Name in whatever pain, anger, hurt, or whatever, that I'm experiencing at the moment? What better way to change my attitude instantly too!
You know, thinking about all this made me realize something else. When our Lord was flogged, tortured and crucified, I would think that if there was ever in this world a legitimate cause for swearing, or using vulgar or coarse language, that would be it! But He didn't! Not one "bad" word came out of our Lord's mouth. In the gospels we can read every word He spoke from that evening at the last supper until the moment He died, and He did not utter any word that would be offensive to use in front of a little child at any time.
I am not by any means trying to be legalistic here or in any of the studies I do. I am very simply presenting what the Bible says as I try to learn from it what His Will is for how I should live, just as He tells us we are to do. I'm not talking about "rules" and "laws" here. Or at least not "only" about those. I don't know about others, but I want to live in such a way that my life here and now is pleasing to my Lord who gave His life for me. Like a little child, I want to please my Heavenly Father and I want Him to be pleased with me! Being obedient to my Lord brings me great joy! It's when I fail Him that I'm miserable and in tears!
It's kind of funny but most people are scared (and so was I) by the passages that tell us that we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross, and that in order to find our lives we have to first lose them.
Mark 8:34-35 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
The reason I say it's kind of funny is because it wasn't until I did begin to give up "my" life, my "self" and live for Him, that I began to consistently experience real joy! It took quite awhile, but I finally realized that when we give up our lives and live for Him instead, that's when He gives us a more abundant life! So what He says really makes sense, because when we lose "our" lives for Him, we begin living more abundantly then we would have ever known was possible before!
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
I don't understand how, but some folks don't seem to think there's anything at all wrong with using vulgar or coarse language, even though the bible clearly says we're not to do so, and just as clearly says we're to be just like Jesus. I've heard them say it's because Jesus accepts them just the way they are, which is very true. But they seem to forget that although He does accept us as we are, He also expects us to grow in our faith and act more and more like Him every day.
I would challenge anyone who thinks there's nothing wrong with it, to imagine themselves standing face to face with Jesus, feeling and seeing His total amazing perfect holiness and purity, both of which have been imputed to us and which we are to live by and act on, and imagine themselves using each of those words toward Him in exactly the same manner they would normally use them in their life now. I don't believe anyone who knows God could do such a thing - at least not and live through it! As for me, I cringe just considering thinking about it! Remember, THIS is who they'd be saying those things to:
Revelation 1:12-18 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Daniel 7:9-10 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Ezekiel 1:25-28 Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Exodus 15:11 “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
That God tells us:
Leviticus 20:7-8 “ ‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
Ephesians 4:22-5:7 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
!!
