But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. (2 Tim 2:16 NKJV)
There was a forsythia bush located at the end of my childhood home. It's branches were untrimmed and it draped to the ground creating a concealing canopy. As small children we loved its tenting privacy. When I was 4 or 5 years old, as several of us were gathered there I was "dared" to say the sh-- word. I balked, so I was "double-dared". The peer pressure overcame me and I whispered the evil word. Immediately one of my sisters who was present jumped to her feet screaming, "Stevie cussed, Stevie cussed!"
There was a forsythia bush located at the end of my childhood home. It's branches were untrimmed and it draped to the ground creating a concealing canopy. As small children we loved its tenting privacy. When I was 4 or 5 years old, as several of us were gathered there I was "dared" to say the sh-- word. I balked, so I was "double-dared". The peer pressure overcame me and I whispered the evil word. Immediately one of my sisters who was present jumped to her feet screaming, "Stevie cussed, Stevie cussed!"
As I heard my Mom calling for me I felt fortunate that my Dad wasn't home. His punishment would have been forceful. Mom was probably going to give me a good talking to. She surprised me, herding me to the bathroom and pinning me against the sink with her legs. She quietly reached for the half used soggy bar of soap that was sitting there and said, "Let's clean that dirty mouth." and inserted the soap. It was a horrible taste. The soap was soft enough and my mouth small enough that bits of soap adhered to many of my teeth. Crying, I rinsed it out. Then again. And again, and again...... It was so hard to fully remove that taste that I soon quit trying. I tasted soap all afternoon.
As dinnertime approached, I was certain that food would finally cleanse my soapy palate. As we were about to start dinner, Dad arrived, Mom informed him of the days activity, and he more harshly repeated the process, then sent me to bed. I tasted soap until I ate my Wheaties the next morning. I learned a lesson that day (but not the right one). I learned not to use course language around my tattling sister.
As dinnertime approached, I was certain that food would finally cleanse my soapy palate. As we were about to start dinner, Dad arrived, Mom informed him of the days activity, and he more harshly repeated the process, then sent me to bed. I tasted soap until I ate my Wheaties the next morning. I learned a lesson that day (but not the right one). I learned not to use course language around my tattling sister.
In today's culture, few parents (even Christian parents) would use this punishment. I've learned of a company named Munchkins, makers of children's products, who this very year have launched a new product call "Naughty Mouth Soap". Copy from their website report -- Just like other Munchkin cleaning products, the new Naughty Mouth Soap is natural, and free of harsh chemicals, parabens and dyes. Available in five ill-tasting flavors, each addresses a specific behavioral situation, including Whining Wasabi, Lying Liver, Spoiled Child Spoiled Milk, Vulgarity Vomit and Extra-Strength Sour Pout Face, which features a foul-tasting concentrate ideal for even the most challenging personalities. - See more at: http://www.munchkin.com/press/munchkin-inc-raises-bar-cleaning-launch-non-toxic-naughty-mouth-soap#sthash.ag1NhkV7.dpuf (When you go to this link, be sure to check the date of the press release.) If parents decide to use this product they'd probably struggle with which words are wrong to say. Many that were on Mom's "soapable offence" list are now commonly heard on evening TV shows. Lately, I know many born again Believers who have adopted the TV standard for use of language, or worse. I've even found myself doing it once or twice with words that seem not-to-be-any-longer-soapable offences.
When I became a Christian, I had a mouth trained by thirty years in the industrial construction business. I struggled to stop swearing and failed repeatedly. One Sunday as I left church the Lord stopped me in my tracks and spoke into my heart that my cursing days were over. I broke and cried out to Him, explaining that I had tried often and failed often and couldn't seem to stop. His Spirit quietly said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV) In my weakness and His power, I finally stopped. Many years passed without an evil word passing my lips.
So, what words should a Christian never say? I polled a few friends this week and got a variety of answers, accurately depicting the disparity of belief that exists on this subject. All agree that the commandment must be obeyed - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Ok, don't use the Lord's name in vain. That's were the agreement stopped. Many believe that there is no prohibition to the use of TV approved words, the so-called lesser swear words. A few even think that their apparent regular use of the F bomb is fine (a position that I think is a lot easier to defend before me than it will be on Judgment Day before the Lord). One dear friend from the mission field pointed out the use of alternative cussing, words like flippin', frickin", holy crap, and all the JC replacement words are out of bounds for him. Another quoted Romans 12:2 Don't be conformed to this world.... and lamented the extent to which Christians are being conformed to the culture rather than impacting the culture for Christ. Perhaps my favorite response was simply tis -- I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). Anything that Christ wouldn't say, I shouldn't say.
To all these biblical answers I say, Amen!, and offer this question for reflection:
Dear child of Christ, what passes your lips that would never have passed His?
Copyright 2013 Mission of the Master Ministries, Inc. May be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission if a link is provided to http://wordworkswednesday.blogspot.com
So, what words should a Christian never say? I polled a few friends this week and got a variety of answers, accurately depicting the disparity of belief that exists on this subject. All agree that the commandment must be obeyed - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Ok, don't use the Lord's name in vain. That's were the agreement stopped. Many believe that there is no prohibition to the use of TV approved words, the so-called lesser swear words. A few even think that their apparent regular use of the F bomb is fine (a position that I think is a lot easier to defend before me than it will be on Judgment Day before the Lord). One dear friend from the mission field pointed out the use of alternative cussing, words like flippin', frickin", holy crap, and all the JC replacement words are out of bounds for him. Another quoted Romans 12:2 Don't be conformed to this world.... and lamented the extent to which Christians are being conformed to the culture rather than impacting the culture for Christ. Perhaps my favorite response was simply tis -- I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). Anything that Christ wouldn't say, I shouldn't say.
To all these biblical answers I say, Amen!, and offer this question for reflection:
Dear child of Christ, what passes your lips that would never have passed His?
Copyright 2013 Mission of the Master Ministries, Inc. May be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission if a link is provided to http://wordworkswednesday.blogspot.com
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