Watch
Your Language
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. – Ephesians 4:29
They are really nice.
They are. They are quick to laugh, smart, and basically good people. But, oh,
their mouths. It’s just so sad.
Foul language and
inappropriate comments can and will derail anyone’s future. People don’t want
to be around it. And, honestly, employers don’t want it in their workplace.
I know. Someone is
saying about now that I’ve never heard (whatever it is they think is most
awful). I spent much of my adult life in the construction industry. I’ve pretty
much heard it all. I have a high tolerance for offensive language. I learned
long ago to let it roll off of me. But there’s language and, then, there’s
language.
Curse words don’t make
you appear older or more sophisticated. Just the opposite, in fact. And making
crude comments about co-workers or others can get you in trouble legally. It’s
wrong. It’s offensive.
And it’s just so
unnecessary. Words can set you apart either in a good way or a bad way. What do
people hear coming from your mouth? Do they hear you bragging about getting
drunk on Friday night? Do they hear you talking about private things that have
no place in the public arena? Do they hear you spewing curse words in every sentence?
There’s another side to
this too. When you’re surrounded by people with foul language and bad habits,
do you join them or do you opt out? Can you resist the lure of sin or is your
desire to be part of the crew too strong?
We are to be in this
world but not of it. We are to live with others, work with them, be around
them, but not become like them. It’s not always easy, is it? That’s exactly
what Satan is counting on.
I am a Christian. I try
really hard to wear my faith each day. Do I fail? Daily. But I try and people
see that. They comment on it. They understand that I am set apart even when I
don’t say that to them directly. There’s a difference.
They have their own
choices to make. If I look down on them, all I do is make them defensive and
turn them away from Jesus. I’m not supposed to judge them anyway. I’m called to
love them right where they are and trust Jesus to handle the rest.
I’m not sure who first
said we’re the only Bible some folks will ever read. But it’s true. Loving
people, being kind, draws more people toward Jesus. They want to know what it’s
all about.
It’s so easy when our
lives are filled with people who think and act and believe as we do. But that’s
not real life. We live in what is sometimes a very dark world. Be the light.
