Language – Unwholesome Talk

Foul Language from Q*BERT

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  We have all heard this at one time or another.  The ironic part about this statement is that as soon as someone told this too us we probably thought that they were lying.  Someone’s words, or language, had just done some real damage to our character and our pride.  If language did not hurt people then we would not see people committing suicide from bullying.  Most of today’s bullying is probably not physical.  It is through spoken or written language.  However, there is another aspect of language that we can take a look at.  Besides the fact that our words have the ability to hurt people, what about in our own personal lives?  Bad language, or swearing, is something that is more or less accepted in our culture.  It is more culturally acceptable to tell someone to f— off than it is to call them gay.  Again, this is an example of an attack on someone else.  What if we are simply swearing to ourselves or in private?  No one else is around.  Perhaps we stubbed our toe, or we got sniped from a camper for the seventh time in a row in a video game.  Is this use of language fair game or should we also watch what we say when no one is looking?

Language Spoken Alone

I cannot think of the last time that I have used what I would consider (more on this concept later) foul language in front of another person.  It is something that I have almost entirely rid myself of doing.  This does not mean that I might not call them names or pick on people; it simply means that I have not used words that I would consider to be bad.  However, my language when I am away from people can be much worse.  For example if I am driving alone and there are some other terrible drivers on the road, I am much more prone to profanity.  While I do not have as much time to play video games as I used to (especially Call of Duty and Halo style games) when I was playing them a lot I would often use less than desirable language.  Not into the microphone system, just out loud and the only person that could hear me was myself – and God.  Is there anything wrong with this?  Most people would probably say no.  My language is used out of anger, but it is not really hurting anyone.  It is venting my frustration out loud.  Some people would say that what really matters is the attitude behind the language rather than the words themselves.

Attitude of Language

To some extent this is definitely true.  However, to another, I wonder if we are genuinely called to a higher lifestyle.  It is our culture that declared that certain words are profanity and others are not.  There has to be a committee somewhere that determines what words are going to be determined as “mature.”  One of the reasons that video games and movies are not rated E and G is that there is language involved in the content.

Rated M for Language

Oh GOSH! There are totally people talking in this game.

Language?  That is a very broad term.  What it is really saying is that there are words used in the game that have been considered by most people to be adult in nature.  However, who determined that these words were bad?  It is just a word after all.  To get away with it we have created words that have almost exactly the same meaning behind them but are generally okay when people say them.  We say crap, shoot, dang, freaking, fudge, gosh, and other words that are really close to the words that we are not supposed to say.  Really?  Is this actually any better?  According to society, it is.

The attitude behind this language is often the same.  It is said out of frustration or describing something negative or said out of some kind of shock.  Personally, I do not see a problem with this.  Language is something that we have to use in order to communicate with people.  Some people might say that it is a lack of creativity and vocabulary, but that is just an excuse made by someone who is offended by our language.  This leads to another problem.

Considered “Bad” Language

The definition of bad language is different to everyone.  Some words that I would use without thinking other people raise an eyebrow to.  Other people say words that I think are a bit too far or in a context that is too far but they would be shocked to hear that I was concerned by it.  When it all comes down to it, the words that we use and the way that we feel them are personal by nature.  However, somehow media has determined that some words are just foul in general.  Any one of the creative alternatives could have been the words that were taboo, but they are not.  Therefore, words as words are nothing but something that was created for us to communicate.  So it really is not the words that we are using because in the future other words will be used that are considered to be profane.  However, because culture has determined that some words are offensive, I believe that Christians in general should avoid using them in most cases.  It is just a better witness for people.  If you would be shocked to hear a pastor say it from the pulpit, you should probably not be saying it either.  (I suppose that in some extreme circumstances using “bad” language can be used to make a big point, but if the words are used in every sentence a big point is not going to happen.)

Language of Christians

Here is the thing, as Christians we are called to be completely different from the world.  I think that this applies to language as well as anything else.  The Bible simply says to let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.  Unwholesome may be defined by society, or by the people we are finding ourselves living next to.  However, unwholesome also has to do with the attitude in which we use language.  This is evident in the Bible.

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.

 

-Ephesians 4:29

The verse itself provides some clarity to the issue.  It does not end with preventing unwholesome talk from coming from our mouths.  Instead, it continues by saying we should only say things that build people up according to their needs.  This means that we are supposed to be encouraging people, not tearing them down.  This means that we choose to use language that promotes Christlike attitudes among people.  Really, it means that we are just supposed to be nice to people.  When we are using language that is considered to be strong this is not building people up.  It comes down to what would Jesus say.  I believe that Jesus would not use language that culture has determined to be “adult” in nature.  Everything he spoke was truth and love.  He would have used language that was considered appropriate when making a strong point.


Christians are supposed to be the light of the world.  They are supposed to stand out and be members of society that are shining in the darkness.  We can be above rough language.  We can be people who spread love as Christ did.  However, the words that we choose to use can affect our ability to do so.  If you are someone who does not see anything wrong with swearing, ask yourself why you feel that way.  In what way does it actually improve you as a person and as a child of God?  Would it be better if you only used words that would be appropriate in front of women, children, and God himself?  At the very least, I think it is something to think about.

 

-Pastor Zach

 

Do you swear when you get angry?  Check out this post.

2 comments

  • ZachHaas

    Consider James 3:

    7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

    9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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