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 NLT
When I was a kid and someone cursed or told a “dirty” joke we used to say it made our ears bleed. At this point in time everyone’s ears should be bleeding. You can’t get away from it foul, hurtful, negative and abusive words are spoken so often it doesn’t even affect us anymore. It’s like water off a ducks back. The only problem is, we still hear it and it still impacts us, and yet we say or do nothing.
Have you ever heard a parent berating and cursing at their child and see them look dejected. A smile from you can give them the hope that they need. Or try to meet them in another isle so you can compliment the child about something. Perhaps you hear someone cutting another person down, or lying about them. Maybe you know the information you’re hearing is false and instead of wanting to correct the misinformation with grace filled words, you begin to yell about it. And the bantering begins, but the truth never is told.
For the world the harsher the words or the language about an issue, the better. But beloved we are not of this world, we are of the Kingdom of God, where we walk in the fruits of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We may not be able to control or even stop what others say, but we can counter the effects of hurtful and abusive words, by responding to them with respect and caring, knowing that hurt people, hurt people but that also healed people, heal people. As people who have experienced the healing power of Jesus in every area of our lives, let’s determine to help others find that same peace and healing.
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