As a Christian, our language is important. Several verses in the Bible instruct us on how we should speak. Colossians 4:6 tells us, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. And 1 Corinthians 13:1 says, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
So what are our children hearing us say? How do they hear us speak of God, others, and ourselves?
Christ gives us a perfect example of how our language should reflect our love. After He had been beaten, stripped of His garments, and nailed to the cross in front of a mocking crowd, He said the words that we probably all know by heart: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
If you or I were in that situation, we would likely call down fire from above on their heads. But not Jesus. Jesus showed forgiveness, kindness, and love.
In John 8:3-11, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery before the Lord. They named her sin and waited for Him to do something about it. And what did He do? He spoke truth, reminding the crowd that they, too, were sinners. When He addressed the woman, He said, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:11). Jesus didn’t shy away from her sin, but He didn’t condemn her for it. Nor did He condone it. He spoke the truth in love.
James 3:10 says, Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
So let’s work on the way that we speak. The younger generation, and the world around us, are listening.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Jennifer Purcell
Featured Image by Jez Timms on Unsplash
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