We’ve all heard it: the “Christian” who praises God on Sunday, but swears like a seasoned construction-worker Monday through Saturday. As a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up just so I could use the colorful language the adults used regularly. College years rolled around, and I used it liberally. Funny thing though; profanity never brought any gratification or fulfillment into my spirit. In fact, I found the more I used profanity, the angrier I became. It wasn’t until I came to know the Lord and read the bible that I discovered God has a lot to say about the words we speak. Here are a few words:

• Colossians 3:8 (NLV)

“Put out of your life these things also: anger, bad temper, bad feelings toward others, talk that hurts people, speaking against God, and dirty talk.”

• Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

“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.”

• 2 Timothy 2:16 (NKJV)

^“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”

James describes the tongue as an evil thing that no one can tame. It rages like a roaring fire. From it, we both bless and curse. We need to be careful with the words we speak to one another. Even a single curse word sprinkled into an encouraging statement can diminish the effect of that message. The bible is clear: we need to stay away from foul language. Speak life, not death.

*always*