Recently I read a post where an individual railed about the pollution of a waterway with waste products. They were obviously passionate about the issue, and they used colorful language as a way to get their enthusiasm across.
But that language didn’t strengthen their cry for action. I’m passionate about caring for the environment, too, but you know how I am about the heart. Guarding the door of our mouth keeps pollution from our own heart and the hearts of others. Why pollute with our words when we’re passionate about not polluting the material environment? Let’s start with our hearts to build a greater possibility of making a difference, in ourselves AND in the world.
I’ve travelled to a number of places and have often wondered how different communities would be if the people in charge just started a simple garbage cleanup program. In third-world countries, health and community pride would be better and jobs would be provided. Tourism would grow in a cleaner, safer environment. I know the issues may not be that simple, but this seems like common sense to me, no matter where we live.
The same is true of our hearts and the door of the mouth. Vulgar language doesn’t strengthen an argument—it just pollutes, makes us sound desperate and often proves that we have no real facts to back up our case. If you’re like me, you’re tired of entertainment taking the easy way out and getting laughs and shock value from explicit language. Why don’t writers prove that they are truly clever and write brilliant material that has no need for cheap, seedy language?
Using God’s name inappropriately is a whole ‘nother topic. Jesus’ name is powerful, and our tendency to curse proves it. OMG, or the use of the name “Jesus Christ” as a casual expletive could not be replaced with “Oh my Ghandi” and have the same effect. The name lacks power. So the misuse of the name of the one true God as an expletive is chosen by Christians and atheists alike as the preferred form of expression.
“Oh, my god,” used to be a phrase that wasn’t allowed in any church. Today it’s common in casual language, even in ministers. As we continue to lose reverence for God Himself, we forget the commandment that forbids using the name of God in vain. These most basic ten rules can’t continue to be undermined without devastating effects, especially in the people of God.
Can blessing and cursing flow from the same mouth? They can, but they shouldn’t. The mouth may be a terror to control, but the person who strives to do it gains discipline in everything. Cleaning up words is only the beginning. The goal is to clean up the heart with an ongoing pursuit of God that fosters such a love for Him that we cringe at the sound of any dishonor. Mature innocence can be restored to a conscience numb to society’s contaminating habits.
The point: we can get a cleaner environment if we clean up the heart. If we have Jesus, we can find the passion to pursue an unpolluted heart like His. We can take charge of the five doors of the heart and rethink what we say, look at, listen to, value and touch. And those changes in us change our environment every day, materially and otherwise.
I’m for a clean environment. How about we start by swearing off swear words? When we start with a clean heart, everything else will follow.
But that language didn’t strengthen their cry for action. I’m passionate about caring for the environment, too, but you know how I am about the heart. Guarding the door of our mouth keeps pollution from our own heart and the hearts of others. Why pollute with our words when we’re passionate about not polluting the material environment? Let’s start with our hearts to build a greater possibility of making a difference, in ourselves AND in the world.
I’ve travelled to a number of places and have often wondered how different communities would be if the people in charge just started a simple garbage cleanup program. In third-world countries, health and community pride would be better and jobs would be provided. Tourism would grow in a cleaner, safer environment. I know the issues may not be that simple, but this seems like common sense to me, no matter where we live.
The same is true of our hearts and the door of the mouth. Vulgar language doesn’t strengthen an argument—it just pollutes, makes us sound desperate and often proves that we have no real facts to back up our case. If you’re like me, you’re tired of entertainment taking the easy way out and getting laughs and shock value from explicit language. Why don’t writers prove that they are truly clever and write brilliant material that has no need for cheap, seedy language?
Using God’s name inappropriately is a whole ‘nother topic. Jesus’ name is powerful, and our tendency to curse proves it. OMG, or the use of the name “Jesus Christ” as a casual expletive could not be replaced with “Oh my Ghandi” and have the same effect. The name lacks power. So the misuse of the name of the one true God as an expletive is chosen by Christians and atheists alike as the preferred form of expression.
“Oh, my god,” used to be a phrase that wasn’t allowed in any church. Today it’s common in casual language, even in ministers. As we continue to lose reverence for God Himself, we forget the commandment that forbids using the name of God in vain. These most basic ten rules can’t continue to be undermined without devastating effects, especially in the people of God.
Can blessing and cursing flow from the same mouth? They can, but they shouldn’t. The mouth may be a terror to control, but the person who strives to do it gains discipline in everything. Cleaning up words is only the beginning. The goal is to clean up the heart with an ongoing pursuit of God that fosters such a love for Him that we cringe at the sound of any dishonor. Mature innocence can be restored to a conscience numb to society’s contaminating habits.
The point: we can get a cleaner environment if we clean up the heart. If we have Jesus, we can find the passion to pursue an unpolluted heart like His. We can take charge of the five doors of the heart and rethink what we say, look at, listen to, value and touch. And those changes in us change our environment every day, materially and otherwise.
I’m for a clean environment. How about we start by swearing off swear words? When we start with a clean heart, everything else will follow.
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