They’re only words.
This statement from my seventeen-year-old son, and the agreement of my fourteen-year-old daughter are what lit a fire under me with regard to the use of certain four letter words.
I wondered how we got to this place of complacency and acceptance, a place where you cannot listen to the radio without a barrage of obscenities, where network television shows are more profane than the movies I watched as a teenager. Even going to McDonald’s or Wal-Mart is now taking a chance of walking into a minefield of expletives. Who has convinced us that just because you have the ability to say something, this means you should?
My husband and I have tried to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. We have tried to teach them to love God, show respect to themselves and others and be obedient to those in authority. We don’t use those words in our home. There was a time when the word shut-up caused them to say “Mom, they said a bad word”. Is it any wonder that I question how we got from there to here? I could blame the media and have because they are an easy target. However, I have begun to recognize the actual culprit–the old devil himself. Our battles are always with Satan, the prince of the air, and the father of lies. He has us completely deluded. Those of us who believe God views such language as sin have sat idly on our moral high ground and said very little to nothing when we are taken aback or offended by the use of foul language. We go to the movies, we watch the TV programs, we read the books, we frequent the places where those words are spoken. Money talks and ours tells those in film and print we are okay with what they are doing.
As prince of the air, I believe, Satan has used the airwaves to his advantage. He has never had better access to us via the air than now. He whispers to us, “It’s acceptable now even though it was not in the past. Everybody says it. The Bible doesn’t really say anything about cussing.” The last one just happens to be the same lie he used on Eve, “Did God really say that?” he questioned her. It worked for him before and works for him even now. Jesus tells us in John 8:44 that when Satan speaks lies “it is according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The Bible speaks very clearly as to God’s view of our speech. As his children, we are to refrain from speaking evil (Psalm 34:13). We are not to speak unwholesomely (Eph 4:29). We should consider our words and they should be gracious and seasoned with salt. They should be wise and not foolish. Take a look at Proverbs; the book is full of information on both the good and bad ways words can be used. There is no doubt language is relevant in our spiritual lives. Jesus was very clear in Matthew chapter twelve our words matter and they matter eternally.
For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart. The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury. I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:34-37)
Am I still offended when such language assaults my ears? Absolutely, I am. But knowing the enemy and that the battle is being waged both here and in the heavenlies gives me a new battle plan. Rather than lecture the kids as I seek to convince them that the words we use matter to God, I will pray that the Holy Spirit will convict and convince them of the truth of THE WORD.
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Tracey Cagle
