GOOD LANGUAGE. Zephaniah 3:9

I have NEVER addressed a college professor by his or her first name. Unless the professor insists on it, doing so is “taking liberties.” It is disrespectful. The same is true of pastors, physicians, judges, and coaches. We pay them the respect due their position. Anything else is disrespectful.

I watched a show last night in which the “host” insisted on addressing Barack Obama as “Former President Obama,” rather than the time-honored (and universally accepted), “Mister President.” When Obama commented, the smart-alecky host actually argued about it—which made him look stupid and childish. He was disrespectful.

As the show went on, the host interviewed dozens of high-level government officials and scientists, each of whom spoke to him in the most sophisticated and professional terms. And he responded to them with his deliberately-shocking potty mouth. The man is not unintelligent, but his insistence on discussing sublime topics with crude speech made him sound like a little boy in junior-high. Bad language—particularly in the presence of a polished, professional speaker—does not make you look grown-up. It makes you look childish. It is a sign of disrespect.

Paul writes about language:

“There must be no filthiness, or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting [for believers], but rather, giving of thanks” Ephesians 5:4.

Your language should reflect the grace, purity, and light in your heart.

Anything else is not fitting—it is not respectful or worshipful of the God who is inside you at that very moment. James says your tongue is a fire that was lit in hell, and that fire will burn down your whole life. This is serious stuff! Read James 3.

“For I will then restore pure speech to the people so that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve Him” Zephaniah 3:9.

You cannot serve God without pure speech.

God, purify our speech. Bring to our attention not only the vulgar, but the hateful, the gossip, the slander, the judgment. Make our speech worthy of those who have been redeemed and forgiven.

ΑΩ