1. Obscene Language
Let's go to the days of your childhood, when your parents did not allow you to speak in an inappropriate way and neither did they speak inappropriately (at least in front of you). But, once you grow up and all set to face the world, no one cares how you speak. There's no one to restrict you from using bad words. In this modern world, you will be tempted enough to curse because it has become the way of life and people find nothing wrong with it. Each and every single sentence has a word which is inappropriate and unpleasant. Every post, status, tweet, or what all we have in social media contain words that are not even supposed to be spoken. Most of the songs, videos, movies communicate in this language called an obscene language.
When you listen to these songs, watch these videos, movies, read these posts, you are motivated to use obscene language in your daily life. No matter what you are reading or listening to, if that content has anything to do with either insult or cursing each other, it will influence you to do the same. Stop watching and reading such content immediately. Bible says in James 3: 9-12,
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." (NIV)
We all can admit loving gossips. We talk about people and what they are doing in their personal life. We also discuss all kinds of stupid stuff, just to have people around us. Sharing false secrets about others, make us look cool. Right? These are quite useless and careless words that come out of our mouth. Let's see what the Bible tells about this in Matthew 12:36,
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak," (ESV).
A friend of mine thinks he has a very good sense of humor. Let me explain why he is funny or why he thinks he is funny. His sense of humor lies in insulting people or making a joke of how the other person looks or behaves. And if that person gets offended, he simply gets away with it, appealing to them that he was "just joking". My friends, your joke is not a joke if it insults someone. You might crack a joke for your pleasure or to make someone laugh but, do you have any idea on how much it would impact the victim for the rest of his/her life? Bible says in Ephesians 5:4,
"Obscene language, silly talk, or vulgar jokes aren’t acceptable for believers. Instead, there should be thanksgiving." (CEB)
Obscene language, I am sure each one of you knows what words make up an obscene language. I clearly cannot use those words in an article filled with Bible verses. Even if I am allowed to, I wouldn't. Silly talk on other hand, is either insulting people or breaking one's self-esteem with your words. Vulgar jokes are in a rage now-a- days. These ones are about sex, sexual immortality, and are totally inappropriate to speak out at a social gathering. These are not acceptable for believers.
People at very young age, get drunk just because it's cool to get drunk and by not being in their senses, use filthy words in rage and anger. Do you know when you take in alcohol or any beverage that will make you lose your senses, will slowly kill your body?. Well, that's a completely different topic, so let's get back to obscene language. Losing your senses does not give you an access to use all the dirty words that are out there. Well, you might say, that you weren't in your senses and you didn't know what you were speaking but that doesn't mean you are forgiven. Because you are totally responsible for getting yourself drunk in the first place. Ephesians 5:18, " Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit."(GNT)
Key factors that play a major role in making you speak Obscene language:
1. Anger
Whenever you are angry at something or with someone, you lose your temper and start cursing.
2. Rage
This is the second stage of anger, which in long term makes you end up cursing or insulting the person whenever you see them.
3. Slander
This is the third stage of anger, where you make false statements, to bring down a person's reputation.
4. Shock/Surprise (Or I must say a bad surprise)
If you come across something bad that you haven't expected, you curse.
5. Lack of Patience
Losing patience invokes anger, which inflicts rage, and you start cursing everything and everyone around you.
Bible says in Colossians 3:8, "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (NIV)
While we are on the topic of what comes out of our mouth, let me switch your focus to Lying. Lying will take you nowhere but to a place full of lies. Whether you are lying for someone's good or about something very small, your lies will lead you to a chain of lies that will strangle around your neck, until you are choked to death. Even a small lie can lead you to an unexpected situation in life.
Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before." (ICB)
"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Proverbs 12:22
How to overcome all these factors?
You are here reading or listening to this article because you are chosen by God. You are holy and loved by God himself. So, be like one.
Bible says in Colossians 3: 12-17, "God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Do not be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, then forgive him. Forgive each other because the Lord forgave you. 14 Do all these things; but most important, love each other. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. You were all called together in one body[a] to have peace. Always be thankful.16 Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and strengthen each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should all be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus." (ICB)
Mercy, kindness, humbleness, gentleness and patience are five super powers which will help you from the major factors that would invoke you into speaking the obscene language. Let's take Spider-man for an example. He has a few superpowers which made him a superhero. He did not master all his super powers over a single night. He practiced and practiced until he can make them his own. When you are in God and God is in you, you will have these five super powers (Mercy, kindness, humbleness, gentleness and patience). Practice them in your daily life. Keep practicing them until you master them. That way you will be able to forgive each other and be filled with God's love. People can witness God's power in you. Let God's peace control your heart and you will never let anything bad come out of your mouth. Just do whatever you do or speak, in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.
If your friends are using obscene language, tell them, teach them, and warn them. When you are motivated to use bad words, don't push God aside, instead, take his help, and he will help you cool your temper with his soothing and everlasting peace.
Of all, self-control is a powerful super-power. You should practice this immensely, as it will save your life in long run. Just remember that Jesus is living in you and that you represent Christ. The one who has Christ living in him will not speak badly about anything. His mouth blesses but never curses. If you come across someone, making fun of others and thinks it's funny, don't encourage him/her by laughing at their vulgar jokes. Instead, stand by the victims and speak for them. Be their strength. Join hands with one and other and tell the person insulting, to stop what they are doing, because they have no right to insult God's creature. One cannot gain popularity by bringing down someone else's.
We are Christians. We represent Christ and we do not speak the obscene language. We stand by the victims of insults.
