Swear Words!

TEXT:

‘But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen!’ – James 3:8-10

THOUGHT:

One of the more distasteful and disturbing trends in modern society is the widespread use of swear words in films and television, particularly what is called the “F” word. The media claim they are only reflecting modern lifestyles, although a quick survey, will I am sure, reveal this is not the case and its use in everyday life is over-exaggerated.

Recently the BBC has allowed standards to slip again, allowing the word “Hell” to be used in reporting and interviews, when once it was forbidden and edited out. Of course, all the other media outlets follow suit. Listening to a local Radio Station recently, one of the presenters used the word “Hell” several times, even surprising his co-presenter. This caused me to act and I sent in an email to complain about it. To my surprise I received a reply almost immediately from the presenter who was using the word. He apologised, stating that he did it by habit and did not realise he was even doing it. As he did not want to cause offence, he would try to ensure that he did not use that word on air in future. I appreciated his honesty and replied stating I would continue listening!

The use of swear words can undermine any belief that the word we are using could be important, especially when we use words like “God or Christ” etc. I was helping a neighbour to repair his scooter. Dropping his spanner he swore saying, “Jesus wept!” When he said it again, I said to him, “I am a Christian and believe in the name of Jesus. If you are to ever become a Christian, you will need to call on the name of Jesus. If you use it as a swear word, then it will make it harder for you to do so.” He apologised, but a few minutes later something else made him cross. He started to swear using the same words, when he suddenly remembered what I had said and checked himself.

The Gospel of James, chapter Three, reveals several key truths about swear words and the power of the tongue.

• The Tongue has the power to control our lives

It can act like a rudder influencing the direction we take in life. The words we speak will have a positive or negative effect and we will reap the consequences. Think for a moment about what you said yesterday. Was it uplifting and a blessing or was it filled with swearing and taking it out on others?

• Words, although small can have a tremendous effect and cause great damage

A huge forest fire can be started by just a tiny spark. How many lives have been damaged for years by thoughtless and hurtful comments made, especially when growing up.

• The Tongue can be brought under control

When a person is able to control their tongue, they can control their whole body. How easy it is for the wrong words to slip out, especially when we are frustrated, in pain or angry. This lack of control will only make things worse.

James uses the illustration of a fountain. It is incapable of bringing forth sweet and bitter water at the same time. It has to be one or the other. Unfortunately, we are capable of blessing and cursing simultaneously, but it is something to be avoided.

Jesus taught, ‘And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.’ ¹ Study the Gospels to see how Jesus spoke, even when under extreme pressure and pain, as during his trial and subsequent crucifixion. His words remained under complete control, even able to bless those who were cursing him.

It’s not impossible to undo the damage done to oneself and others caused by continually saying the wrong thing, but it will take time. The most important thing is to start that change process today!

The Psalmist David prayed, ‘May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my defender.’ ² We would do well to pray a similar prayer every day!

1 – Matthew 5:33-37 The Message                 2 – Psalm 19:14 GW Version