What We Say

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"What We Say"

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I wouldn't worry about all this yelling and swearing if I were you... they'll know that we're Christians by our bumper stickers.

by Reverend Fun www.reverendfun.com

What's The Difference? Slang and short-forms have always affected proper grammar. Some of this is fine and to be expected. Language evolves over time. We abbreviate terminology to make it easier to remember. We come up with "family sayings" that derive from cute things our young children say. Regional differences exist, just as accents are noticeable from one area of the country to another. But when does what we say offend God?

Slang vs. Swearing Dirty language or off-colour adjectives have become everyday talk in our culture. Many people feel that unless God's name is used, such 'slang' is individual and okay. We are supposed to please God in everything we do and say. So WHERE do we draw the line? And are there really consequences or punishment for using bad language?

The 3rd Commandment states: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain..." Many people are familiar with this commandment, HOWEVER it does not end there. The verse goes on to say, "...for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Exodus 20:7

Serious Stuff God's laws are to be taken seriously, and so are the consequences of breaking them. In the previous verse (vs. 6) God says he will show mercy to them that love Him and keep his commandments.

What It's Called Throughout the Bible, rough or crude language is given many names. Here are some from the NIV:

Unwholesome talk "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths..." Eph. 4:29

Evil speaking "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice..." Eph. 4:31

Obscenity, foolish talk, coarse joking "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Eph. 5:4

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

Wow! If I find no other verses than these to support the wrongness of bad language, these are more than enough to convince me. Ephesians 5:1 sums it up perfectly: "Be imitators of God..." Verse 5 of that chapter warns, "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." If we imitate God, then our speech will be wholesome and will reflect what (or should I say who?) is on the inside.

What's The Difference?	Slang and short-forms have always affected proper grammar. Some of this is fine and to be expected. Language evolves over time. We abbreviate terminology to make it easier to remember. We come up with "family sayings" that derive from cute things our young children say. Regional differences exist, just as accents are noticeable from one area of the country to another. But when does what we say offend God?
Slang vs. Swearing	Dirty language or off-colour adjectives have become everyday talk in our culture. Many people feel that unless God's name is used, such 'slang' is individual and okay. We are supposed to please God in everything we do and say. So WHERE do we draw the line? And are there really consequences or punishment for using bad language? The 3rd Commandment states: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain..." Many people are familiar with this commandment, HOWEVER it does not end there. The verse goes on to say, "...for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Exodus 20:7
Serious Stuff	God's laws are to be taken seriously, and so are the consequences of breaking them. In the previous verse (vs. 6) God says he will show mercy to them that love Him and keep his commandments.
What It's Called	Throughout the Bible, rough or crude language is given many names. Here are some from the NIV:
Unwholesome talk	"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths..." Eph. 4:29
Evil speaking	"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice..." Eph. 4:31
Obscenity, foolish talk, coarse joking	"Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Eph. 5:4
Filthy language	"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Col. 3:8
Wow! If I find no other verses than these to support the wrongness of bad language, these are more than enough to convince me. Ephesians 5:1 sums it up perfectly: "Be imitators of God..." Verse 5 of that chapter warns, "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." If we imitate God, then our speech will be wholesome and will reflect what (or should I say who?) is on the inside.