words

Read: James 3:2-12
           Exodus 20:16 and 20:7
           Proverbs 4:24
           Colossians 3:8

   I walk around campus everyday and hear profanity run rampant. It seems like everyone cusses, everyone uses God's name in vain, everyone tears others down. We are called to be set apart as Christians, to stand out, and that includes watching what comes flying out of our mouths. God warned us with two of His 10 laws about what we say (do not lie, and do not use the Lord's name in vain) James said that our tongues are "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" and that they are "set on fire by Hell". Amen to that! So many times I've kicked myself for saying something without thinking. It's hard to keep a bridle on your tongue and watch what you say, and your language won't change over night, but as with everything, God will help you if you pray for strength. Ask Him to help you watch your words so that your words do not bring blessing and cursing, but always build others up. If you catch yourself saying something you know God wouldn't like, stop yourself...and ask Him to forgive you.
      Another helpful hint...don't speak out of anger...that can REALLY get you into trouble! If you are angry and you know something is gonna come flying out of your mouth that you don't want to, get out of the situation. Go somewhere else until you've calmed down and then come back to talk about it. For can "a spring pour out forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water?" In other words, if you are really tight with God...what you say as well as what you do should show it.
     I think that the thing people say that bothers me the most is using the Lord's name in vain...hearing His holy, precious name used in anger or frusteration is heartbreaking. He is the Lord, our God, Our Father in heaven, Comforter, Healer, Consuming flame, Redeemer, Perfect, Holy, Sweet, the great I Am, our Hope, our Light, our Strength, the Way, Master, My Daddy, Jesus. His name is sweet and should be used respectfully...even if people aren't Christian, they should respect those who are and use God's name respectively. I challenge you now, not only to bridle your own tongue...but to take a stand for God and ask those who use His awesome name as a cuss word to stop. Be nice about it, but tell them it hurts your heart to hear them talk like that. He is God...go all the way for Him...search your heart...honestly, is your tongue bridled or running rampant?