Set an example... in speech {part 1}

Sorry I didn't get one out last week!

 Most of you have probably read my other posts on speech, so I'll just basically do a re-cap here, inserting the key points of my other posts.

 By setting an example for other believers in our speech, there are both things we should and should not say. As the post would be too long if I did all my points in one post, I will break it into three parts. So here are my points on what not to say.

  "There be any obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:4)  Wow, pretty direct! I also love the New Life Version: "Do not be guilty of telling bad stories and of foolish talk. These things are not for you to do. Instead, you are to give thanks for what God has done for you." I think we all do these not-great things at some point. However 'harmless' they may seem, God is against them. {Taken from 'Coarse talk: uh-uh'}

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 Even little, silly sentences can hurt; even something said as a joke can get someone down. I think you know what I mean. Something like "Yeh, that was so stupid. Sometimes you can be such a dope" can hurt. Even just "You're a dope" has a possibility of making someone feel bad. Now, most of the time these things and more are said jokingly. But hey, they can still get someone down!!! And if you're thinking "How silly, why would anyone take that offensively?" I can personally tell you that there are people on whom these kind words have an effect. Or even if they don't hurt, what's the point in saying them anyway? Why say something derisive at all? (Trust me, I fail at this nearly every time. It's VERY hard to master. But I believe it's worth it.)

 Now, not all critical words are said in a joking manner. We've all said something along the lines of "you're an idiot" (or nerd, or freak, or dumbo, or immature etc). In those cases, we all need to learn to control our tongue. It's really HARD, I know, but never the less, God wants us to. There are heaps of Bible verses about the tongue. Some show what the tongue is like and what it does - "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Prov 12:18) "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov 18:21) "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." (James 3:5,6).
A lot of them tell of the tongue's consequences and how it relates to us - (like two of the above and a chunk of James - for example, James 1:26 says "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.") If you look throughout the Bible at the verses on the tongue, it is clear that
1. the tongue can do a lot of damage or build people up and
2. God wants us to keep a close watch over what we say.
So pray about it, and strive with God to say things that only build up and not tear down (Eph. 4:29).

 (And just in case you haven't gotten why negative words are not a good idea, James reminds us that "We praise our Lord and Father with our tongues. And we speak wrong words about people with our tongues, even though they were made like God." (James 3:9 WE translation)! How silly is that!!!? So let's strive to stop having blessings and insults coming out of the same mouth. And can I let you into a secret?: Sometimes you will mess up!! No-one is perfect! So don't feel really guilty if you fail. Just apologise to the person and God, and keep going.) {Taken from '"Ouch!" Your words can hurt!'}


So there you have it: a re-cap on all my thoughts about what not to say! More next week! Lets continue in our striving in the Lord to set an example in our speech.

Cassie xoxoxo