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Dirty mouth? Dirty soul! Let's work on cleaning up our ...
3 years ago
Dirty mouth? Dirty soul! Let's work on cleaning up our act together! (Full title)
Greetings my friends. Be you furry, or brony(MLP fan), or just some casual observer who has happened upon this journal, I bid you welcome!
Today I will be speaking on why it is bad to include dirty language in your vocabulary. This sort of behavior is much more common in atheist or non-Christian circles, but even Christians can run afoul of this bad habit. It is something I used to do quite a bit, though I would like to say I have become better at not giving in to this temptation.
You know, I never really considered how prevalent and common foul language is until I underwent the task of trying to purify myself through how I behave and what I say. I believe that when you are deep in sin, you do not necessarily realize just how sinful you are. It just doesn't register in your mind. Sin blinds you to its presence and separates you from the LORD. I believe that regular use of foul language has a similar effect as well. The more we curse, the less averse we are to being in the presence of other people who are also using foul language.
I never really paid much attention or felt bothered by hearing swears prior to giving my life over to Christ Jesus. To anyone who takes their walk and servitude as a Christian seriously however, you would most likely fully agree with me that upon making this commitment, you become much more sensitive to the use of foul language. For lack of a better way of phrasing it - you "experience" it more in that you are fully aware when it is being used, and that the person using that sort of language may be less spiritually aware of their current state of corruption.
For we are ambassadors of the LORD and His Son our savior Jesus Christ. We are supposed to represent truth, light, love, and purity. Dirty words are none of these things. Dirty words can and often are used in situations that one would consider lewd or inappropriate by Christian standards. They are also used at times of frustration or heightened emotion, usually when we do not have a good amount of control over something that has happened to us. For some however, bad words are just a normal part of their vocabulary. For example: I like to listen to podcasts on various films. Since I grew up watching movies in the scary horror genre, I like to listen to podcasts on them. I don't usually watch as many films in this genre anymore, but I've seen more than enough in my time to have plenty to choose from when it comes to podcasts where people discuss and analyze films.
Often I will hear bad words used by some podcasters. Their use seems so very casual at times. There are also times where the Lord's name is used inappropriately. Jesus Christ used as an exclamation, for example. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying I am looking down on people. These are my brothers and sisters, whom I love very much. But I notice when this sort of language is used. There is a reason why we admonish children who use swears. We just know deep inside that it's not the kind of language that children should be using. Yet when we become adults that sort of purity is allowed to be done away with if we so choose.
So why shouldn't we use dirty words? Well..
1.) It can offend people. Christians by nature are like obedient sheep. We do not wish to offend or upset others. We are told to be obedient to the LORD and to be good children. If a behavior we are indulging in is a shock or seen as inappropriate by others/society, we ought to try not to do it. Our nature is not to offend others, but to bring joy and happiness to others. It takes a prideful, rebellious heart and mind to not care if what you are saying or doing bothers someone else. A good Christian will remember that we are all the LORD's children, and so we should treat each others' feelings with loving kindness. Note that this is not an instruction that we as Christians should advocate for or accept certain sins and lifestyles that go against the gospel. If a society is sinful and sees Christian behavior as inappropriate - we as servants of Christ Jesus are still to adhere to our holy lifestyle, even if we become black sheep in doing so.
2.) It can put you in a bad light. What do I mean by this? Well you might just end up coming off as a little "dirty" or vulgar. Some might say you might seem less intelligent for using a lot of foul language. I don't personally see people who cuss as less intelligent than myself, but I will say that it can make you seem a little more "dirty" or less pure in my perception. I don't know how else to put it. A soul who is trying to be holy and pure will strive to keep this way in all that they do - not just actions but also in words. To those of us who are trying to keep pure and be good representatives of the LORD and His Son, Jesus Christ - being among others who have no problem using foul language can be a challenge. Some may want to remove themselves from the situation completely because they are that offended. Some Christians who try to have much love and mercy may be willing to put up with it, but it can still be difficult for them. I see myself in the latter category. I will try not to offend you or separate myself from you necessarily, but I will certainly notice your choice of words and struggle a little bit. As your loving servant I will not berate you but I would very much love to see you not use such language.
3.) It may upset the LORD, our Creator. I say 'may' because I am not going to presume I know the thoughts and intent of He who created me - perhaps it's not much of a bother. But I have to imagine, like a parent hearing their children use foul language, that it might distress our Creator to hear and experience us using foul language as well. We should not be doing or engaging in behavior that has the possibility of upsetting or distressing our LORD and His son, our savior!
Here are a few examples from the Holy Bible that show that we shouldn't be using dirty language:
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. -Ephesians 5:4
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. - Colossians 3:8
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. - Exodus 20:7
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, - Matthew 12:36
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. - Matthew 12:37
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. - James 3:10
And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” - Matthew 15:10-11
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. - Proverbs 15:4
These are just a few verses of great wisdom that deals with this subject. There are others, but you will have to read The Holy Bible to learn these things.
So what are some things we can do to train ourselves to not use bad language?
The swear jar.
Some people will use this tactic to try and train themselves to stop using foul language. It goes like this. You have a special jar somewhere in your house. Whenever you swear, or use the Lord's name in vain, you put a set amount of money into the jar. At a certain point, the money in this jar is to be spent. Not on yourself - that would be like rewarding yourself for all those swears. You use it for a good cause. Research and pick a charity and give an amount that is in the jar to that charity. After doing this you empty the jar and start over. The goal is that in time the jar will fill up more slowly over time, if at all.
There is also the 'wear a rubber band and use it to ouchie your wrist' whenever you swear. This is kind of like a negative reinforcement punishment. I don't know how effective this technique is. It seems more psychological to me. As a child if you did something bad you might get a spanking - but that hurt a whole heckuva lot more than snapping a rubber band against yourself. Granted using foul language might not be on the same level as some of the bad things we did as children, it still just doesn't seem to be a very punishing measure. I could be mistaken - it might work very well for some personalities. Give it a shot if you think it might help you to learn to not use those dirty words.
Training ourselves to recognize when we are at our most vulnerable and likely to use swears can help us to learn to not use this language as time goes on. For many of us, it is frustrating or emotional situations where we are most likely to use bad language. It can be hard, but trying to mentally have the forethought in knowing when you are "going into" a situation where you have used foul language in the past might help you to remember as things are getting "hot" to cool down, to extricate yourself, to have a 'replacement word' ready to use (Fiddlesticks?) so that when that moment comes you will be more prepared. Don't beat yourself up if you slip up. Just try and learn from each experience where you slipped up and see if you can challenge yourself to be better trained in how you handle certain situations.
My dearest friends. Whether you are a servant of Christ Jesus or not - you can become more pure in your ways and vocabulary if you feel it is an important enough goal in your life and how you behave. I challenge you to try to purify your tongue and use it to be kind and loving to one another. Use it to build up and give joy and happiness to others, but bridle and restrain it from the areas of vulgarity and hostility.
(SUBTLE BUMP FOR MY CHRISTIAN FURRY/BRONY DISCORD SERVER HERE)
Are you a furry or a brony struggling with your faith or with the task of trying to find your place in the world? Are you seeking guidance on how to be better to yourself and others? Would you like to be part of a community of friends who loves you and will labor with you in your struggles? If so, please consider giving my Discord server a snuffle! Christian Furs and Ponies is a discord community of furries, bronies, and people who are not from either category who have a love of Christ Jesus and a desire to be obedient servants to the Lord Jesus Christ and to each other. We will treat you with love and with a desire to help you grow spiritually.
To be a part of our community, simply click on the following link and write up a little welcome/introduction about yourself in the channel. A moderator will give you access to participate with others after that. We hope to see you soon!
https://discord.gg/MpPF6zUA6N
Greetings my friends. Be you furry, or brony(MLP fan), or just some casual observer who has happened upon this journal, I bid you welcome!
Today I will be speaking on why it is bad to include dirty language in your vocabulary. This sort of behavior is much more common in atheist or non-Christian circles, but even Christians can run afoul of this bad habit. It is something I used to do quite a bit, though I would like to say I have become better at not giving in to this temptation.
You know, I never really considered how prevalent and common foul language is until I underwent the task of trying to purify myself through how I behave and what I say. I believe that when you are deep in sin, you do not necessarily realize just how sinful you are. It just doesn't register in your mind. Sin blinds you to its presence and separates you from the LORD. I believe that regular use of foul language has a similar effect as well. The more we curse, the less averse we are to being in the presence of other people who are also using foul language.
I never really paid much attention or felt bothered by hearing swears prior to giving my life over to Christ Jesus. To anyone who takes their walk and servitude as a Christian seriously however, you would most likely fully agree with me that upon making this commitment, you become much more sensitive to the use of foul language. For lack of a better way of phrasing it - you "experience" it more in that you are fully aware when it is being used, and that the person using that sort of language may be less spiritually aware of their current state of corruption.
For we are ambassadors of the LORD and His Son our savior Jesus Christ. We are supposed to represent truth, light, love, and purity. Dirty words are none of these things. Dirty words can and often are used in situations that one would consider lewd or inappropriate by Christian standards. They are also used at times of frustration or heightened emotion, usually when we do not have a good amount of control over something that has happened to us. For some however, bad words are just a normal part of their vocabulary. For example: I like to listen to podcasts on various films. Since I grew up watching movies in the scary horror genre, I like to listen to podcasts on them. I don't usually watch as many films in this genre anymore, but I've seen more than enough in my time to have plenty to choose from when it comes to podcasts where people discuss and analyze films.
Often I will hear bad words used by some podcasters. Their use seems so very casual at times. There are also times where the Lord's name is used inappropriately. Jesus Christ used as an exclamation, for example. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying I am looking down on people. These are my brothers and sisters, whom I love very much. But I notice when this sort of language is used. There is a reason why we admonish children who use swears. We just know deep inside that it's not the kind of language that children should be using. Yet when we become adults that sort of purity is allowed to be done away with if we so choose.
So why shouldn't we use dirty words? Well..
1.) It can offend people. Christians by nature are like obedient sheep. We do not wish to offend or upset others. We are told to be obedient to the LORD and to be good children. If a behavior we are indulging in is a shock or seen as inappropriate by others/society, we ought to try not to do it. Our nature is not to offend others, but to bring joy and happiness to others. It takes a prideful, rebellious heart and mind to not care if what you are saying or doing bothers someone else. A good Christian will remember that we are all the LORD's children, and so we should treat each others' feelings with loving kindness. Note that this is not an instruction that we as Christians should advocate for or accept certain sins and lifestyles that go against the gospel. If a society is sinful and sees Christian behavior as inappropriate - we as servants of Christ Jesus are still to adhere to our holy lifestyle, even if we become black sheep in doing so.
2.) It can put you in a bad light. What do I mean by this? Well you might just end up coming off as a little "dirty" or vulgar. Some might say you might seem less intelligent for using a lot of foul language. I don't personally see people who cuss as less intelligent than myself, but I will say that it can make you seem a little more "dirty" or less pure in my perception. I don't know how else to put it. A soul who is trying to be holy and pure will strive to keep this way in all that they do - not just actions but also in words. To those of us who are trying to keep pure and be good representatives of the LORD and His Son, Jesus Christ - being among others who have no problem using foul language can be a challenge. Some may want to remove themselves from the situation completely because they are that offended. Some Christians who try to have much love and mercy may be willing to put up with it, but it can still be difficult for them. I see myself in the latter category. I will try not to offend you or separate myself from you necessarily, but I will certainly notice your choice of words and struggle a little bit. As your loving servant I will not berate you but I would very much love to see you not use such language.
3.) It may upset the LORD, our Creator. I say 'may' because I am not going to presume I know the thoughts and intent of He who created me - perhaps it's not much of a bother. But I have to imagine, like a parent hearing their children use foul language, that it might distress our Creator to hear and experience us using foul language as well. We should not be doing or engaging in behavior that has the possibility of upsetting or distressing our LORD and His son, our savior!
Here are a few examples from the Holy Bible that show that we shouldn't be using dirty language:
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. -Ephesians 5:4
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. - Colossians 3:8
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. - Exodus 20:7
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, - Matthew 12:36
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. - Matthew 12:37
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. - James 3:10
And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” - Matthew 15:10-11
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. - Proverbs 15:4
These are just a few verses of great wisdom that deals with this subject. There are others, but you will have to read The Holy Bible to learn these things.
So what are some things we can do to train ourselves to not use bad language?
The swear jar.
Some people will use this tactic to try and train themselves to stop using foul language. It goes like this. You have a special jar somewhere in your house. Whenever you swear, or use the Lord's name in vain, you put a set amount of money into the jar. At a certain point, the money in this jar is to be spent. Not on yourself - that would be like rewarding yourself for all those swears. You use it for a good cause. Research and pick a charity and give an amount that is in the jar to that charity. After doing this you empty the jar and start over. The goal is that in time the jar will fill up more slowly over time, if at all.
There is also the 'wear a rubber band and use it to ouchie your wrist' whenever you swear. This is kind of like a negative reinforcement punishment. I don't know how effective this technique is. It seems more psychological to me. As a child if you did something bad you might get a spanking - but that hurt a whole heckuva lot more than snapping a rubber band against yourself. Granted using foul language might not be on the same level as some of the bad things we did as children, it still just doesn't seem to be a very punishing measure. I could be mistaken - it might work very well for some personalities. Give it a shot if you think it might help you to learn to not use those dirty words.
Training ourselves to recognize when we are at our most vulnerable and likely to use swears can help us to learn to not use this language as time goes on. For many of us, it is frustrating or emotional situations where we are most likely to use bad language. It can be hard, but trying to mentally have the forethought in knowing when you are "going into" a situation where you have used foul language in the past might help you to remember as things are getting "hot" to cool down, to extricate yourself, to have a 'replacement word' ready to use (Fiddlesticks?) so that when that moment comes you will be more prepared. Don't beat yourself up if you slip up. Just try and learn from each experience where you slipped up and see if you can challenge yourself to be better trained in how you handle certain situations.
My dearest friends. Whether you are a servant of Christ Jesus or not - you can become more pure in your ways and vocabulary if you feel it is an important enough goal in your life and how you behave. I challenge you to try to purify your tongue and use it to be kind and loving to one another. Use it to build up and give joy and happiness to others, but bridle and restrain it from the areas of vulgarity and hostility.
(SUBTLE BUMP FOR MY CHRISTIAN FURRY/BRONY DISCORD SERVER HERE)
Are you a furry or a brony struggling with your faith or with the task of trying to find your place in the world? Are you seeking guidance on how to be better to yourself and others? Would you like to be part of a community of friends who loves you and will labor with you in your struggles? If so, please consider giving my Discord server a snuffle! Christian Furs and Ponies is a discord community of furries, bronies, and people who are not from either category who have a love of Christ Jesus and a desire to be obedient servants to the Lord Jesus Christ and to each other. We will treat you with love and with a desire to help you grow spiritually.
To be a part of our community, simply click on the following link and write up a little welcome/introduction about yourself in the channel. A moderator will give you access to participate with others after that. We hope to see you soon!
https://discord.gg/MpPF6zUA6N
