Controlling our speech

[Van]

Scripture tells us (believers in God) to not use our Lord's name in vain. (Exodus 20:7) A common practice, at least in the recent past, was to avoid the appearance of violation but saying something else. Gosh Dag, Julius Caesar, and other substitutes. But was this effort also in vain? Yes.

Putting our tongue in gear, no matter the utterance, in a rote manner in response to pain, surprise, frustration reflects a lack of self control, and indicates yet another avenue to grow more Christ-like.

Colossians 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

1Timothy 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Ephesians 5:4 and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks

 

[Van]

Controlling our speech covers more than just what we say vocally, it also includes what we convey to others with gestures, such as a grimace or a snarky post.

 

[37818]

Three Biblical texts I keep in mind.

Proverbs 16:3, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Matthew 12:34, ". . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. . . ."

James 3:2, ". . . For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. . . ."

 

[Alcott]

A lot of Christians I know like to put "OMG" in their texts. That seems to have started in the 1970's, when television began having that phrase in every sitcom. Many older people condemned it as taking the name in vain. But many of these same older people often said "My Lord!" to express surprise or frustration. Don't they refer to same being? I wish either of my grandmothers were here to ask that question.