Christians know that words matter. After all, God gave us His Word, and each jot and tittle has meaning for our lives. The language we use speaks of who we’re—Christ-followers. We realize that swearing (using curse words) is an affront to our holy God, and pleasing Him is our highest goal.
Ephesians 5:1-21 gives us clear directions in regards to the reasons for and manner of our speech.
In our speech, as well in all of our lives, we’re to be imitators of God. As His, we’re to walk in love, which definitely includes speaking in love.
These words are strong of their clarity, “But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named amongst you, as is proper amongst saints; nor filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which will not be fitting, but relatively giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:3-4).
Paul continues by telling us to walk as children of the sunshine, and our language should reflect that through “goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
As we learn what is enjoyable to the Lord, we understand that works of darkness revealed to us will not be even to be spoken about. Instead, we’re to talk with godly wisdom. Paul goes to date as to inform us we should always be “talking to each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody together with your heart to the Lord; all the time giving thanks for all things within the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;” (vv. 19-20).
Language like that just isn’t only edifying and inspiring to others, nevertheless it also honors and glorifies God.
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