Our Speech – The Disciple-Making Lifestyle

The true condition of our soul is revealed all day by what we discuss and our vocabulary. We don’t like to hear this, but our speech reveals our inner spiritual condition, rather than simply being a habit. Consider this verse, “For our mouth speaks what our heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45b)

Stop to think – do you use crude language and feel comfortable when speaking or hearing it? If so, with God’s help that condition needs to change – if you profess to be a Christian. On this subject, the Bible teaches, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which is out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4) Three examples of unacceptable language are used by Paul in this single passage of Scripture. Clearly, God wants us to be fully aware of what He expects from His children.

Unwholesome conversation, sarcastic comments, and dirty jokes have no place in the life of a Christian. Dignity, purity, and truthfulness are all descriptions of what our Master expects from those who wear His name!

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Today’s thinking will be especially important. The word holy – is capitalized when used for God’s name. To misuse His name, Holy Spirit, by attaching Holy to any secular word, only comes from and fulfills Satan’s desire and demonic purpose. He alone wants God’s name to be taken in vain!

The word holy is used 431 times in the Old Testament, and 180 times in the New Testament. It describes the – set apartness of our world’s totally righteous and spiritually pure Creator. Holiness is the essential attribute of His nature, so it has only rarely and very briefly been observed or experienced by Hebrew or Christian believers across the centuries! The term “man of God” implies one’s earnest desire and effort to seek God’s holiness as a lifestyle.

Consider Peter’s powerful instruction for all Christians to become Christ like in their attitude and behavior. He was inspired to write, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires which you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, purpose to be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

When the world’s screenwriters, authors, and composers lower themselves to taking the name of God in vain, they are unlikely to understand why they are doing it. For that reason, stop to consider how the names of our Creator and Savior are uniquely and globally used so irreverently!

Satan receives no pleasure from hearing weak, misguided humans abuse the names of other sinful humans like – Buddha, Muhammed, Confucius, or Abraham. Thus, no one is normally tempted to use their names as a curse word. Think about your own travels and the media – whose name is always profaned? Think quietly and consider the reason why.

In reference to God, the Bible explains, “…holy is His name.” (Luke 1:49b) In that spirit, Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.” (Matthew 6:9) A major part of our witness as Christians is to protect what is sacred. This means being willing to speak up when God’s Holy name is misused in our presence. It is meant for prayer, not Satan’s vengeful profanity!