Mar 2 - "Watch Your Mouth"

Ephesians 4:29-32 -- “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (favorite verse)

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I imagine for each of you, as it is for me, some of our earliest memories are of a parent, grandparent or other adult telling us, “That’s a bad word!” or, “Watch your mouth!”. I’ve asked myself at times, what’s the big deal about using the occasional expletive? A well placed “swear word” or “curse” can seem to be the only vocabulary available to punctuate or accentuate a point we are trying to make.

Why is it, that from our the youngest moments of our lives up until now, we recognize the stigma associated with using certain words, which over the course of centuries have become known as vulgar. They’re just letters, sounds strung together to form meaning. What’s the big deal?

The big deal? Words mean things.

When we tell someone “that’s ugly”, “you’re stupid” or, most sadly “I hate you”, these words have power. Saying to yourself “I’m worthless”, “No one loves me” or “I don’t care anymore” can take you from a point of simple dissatisfaction with a situation and move us slowly to self-loathing. Using the swear words we all know can give the impression of being crude, unsophisticated or even downright mean.

In the very early years of our three daughters’ lives, my wife Greta and I worked hard to make sure they understood that words such as “hate”, “stupid and “ugly” were not to be used in our house. Greta and I remember with sweetness, the time Maddy came home from school, telling us that one of her teachers used the “S” word. At first, we were stunned, until we asked what the “S” word was: she whispered uncomfortably, “stupid”.

Conversely, when we say to someone “you are beautiful”, “you are smart” or, most wonderfully, “I love you”, then same power exists. These words bring joy, hope and support to those to whom we give them.

Paul encouraged the people of ancient Ephesus to build each other up with words of support and love. The importance of this is no less true today. Not only is it important to lift each other up with words of support or constructive criticism which is delivered in a respectful and caring way, what we listen to and hear also matters significantly. When listening to the radio, are you absorbing the words of Howard Stern or some other hard or hateful message....or are you listening to beautiful music or words of positive support? On TV...Jersey Shore or Extreme Makeover, Home Edition?

So, think about the words you chose. Are you offering love or spewing hate and anger? What can you say today that will give love and support? Give love, speak compassionately. The spoken word has a power that we cannot imagine.