How Are We Talking?

For quite a while, I’ve been noticing a trend in Christian circles. I don’t know if I’m the only person who has been bothered. Possibly so. This is what I’m talking about: it seems that Christians’ language has gotten more crass. Instead of using a delicate way to say something, Christian people are throwing out crude terms about body parts, bodily functions, and even a few curse words. Many use the names of God and references to God in a casual way.

What’s going on?

While sinful society deteriorates, one would think that, in Christian company, we wouldn’t be subjected to gross language. Am I being naïve?

It used to be that a man who used clean speech and good manners was known as a gentleman. A woman who was feminine, graceful, and soft-spoken was called a lady. Have we departed from this?

If so, should we have?

The Bible is our guide:

• Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:6).
• In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works . . . Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you (Titus 2:7a, 8).
• And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long (Psalm 35:28).
• I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works (Psalm 145:5).
• For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips (Proverbs 8:7).
• For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:34b, 36).
• She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness (the Virtuous Woman, Proverbs 31:26).

Our speech is a reflection of what’s in our heart. I am sure that some nice, Christian people haven’t noticed that their speech doesn’t exactly agree with their profession of Christ. I realize that some changes (including speech) come with growth and maturity in the Lord. We need to give people time to grow. But, maybe we can help our fellow Christians understand what’s acceptable and what isn’t. By our example, we can show them how to use alternative words.

I personally feel that we don’t need to be talking about the more private parts of our anatomy in normal, everyday talk. (If we’re in a medical setting, of course, that’s different.) But, references to people’s derrières or other intimate parts are not usually necessary. 

• Do we talk about and laugh about bodily functions?
• Do we speak coarsely or softly? Do we come across as vulgar, or do we speak sweetly?
• Do we use words that refer to God too casually?
• Do we use curse words, even “mild” ones? (I knew a lady who said “Peach fuzz!” when she got angry. It was so funny!)
• Do we use crude terms when a different word could be used?
• Does our speech actually glorify the Lord Jesus?

Probably, all of us could examine how we speak/text/write. Do we honor the Lord?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.

(1 Corinthians 10:31)

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt.