EXPLETIVES DELETED

Expletives Deleted - Angry Words

[written in 2001.]


"Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." WRONG! Experts say that verbal abuse (names, insults, gossip, slander, domination, profanity, etc.) are the kind of things that brought on the shooting at Littleton and other such incidents. Investigators say that 99% of the school's physical violence incidents (fist fights, pushing, shoving) had begun with verbal conflicts liberally salted with profanities. Eliminating verbal violence and trash talk would bring a decrease in physical confrontations. In a 1999 poll New York State teachers named profanity use as the number one problem in their classrooms, ranking it above disrespect and defiance.

The movie, television, and music industries are among the biggest culprits. The past two years have seen a barrage of filthy words and expressions never before used on TV.

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Col. 4:6

Choose your words carefully. Be pleasant and hold their interest. Always make good use of the time. Avoid "cussing and swearing." Someone has said: "Among those who feel no constant responsibility to God, people speak them freely (cussing and swearing and dirty talk) in the office, factory, shop, store and school. Careless talk is part of the modern age." It has ever been so.

We are to bless and not to curse people. James 3:10

"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren...." James 4:11 "Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." 2 Thess. 3:15

To quote Paul: "Since you have heard all about Him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness - righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because we belong to each other. And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He is the One who has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Eph. 4:21-32 NLT

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you." Phil. 4:8-9 NLT

"So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding..." Hebrews 6:1-3 NLT Read Hebrews 5:12 to 6:12.