I’ve got too much to do, in too little time, and wouldn’t you know that would be when I get a whole head full of ideas to blog about? It’s inevitable. The newest, most modern Murphy’s Law.
I saw this video yesterday on another blog and had to post it again here. The Cussing Pastor. Convicting. What I also saw that made me think was a comment someone posted on said blog that said something to the effect that we are intelligent human beings so why can’t we say what we need to say while using respectful words and words that do not offend?
As Christians, we need to look different from the rest of the world and we need to sound different as well. Food for thought. This is something that I, personally, am going to work on.
I have a distinct memory of being in college, and one of my professors, whom I still have so much respect for, confronted me about the word “s_cks.” I pretty much dismissed him as old-fashioned.
Forgive me, Dr. XYZ.
I want to do the best I can to represent Christ to the world, and that includes my words. Take a look.
Being a writer, I think about words a lot. And, words mean something different to everyone. I use certain words to get a certain effect. Mostly, you have to be aware of your audience and your intentions when you are speaking. Not to change who you ARE (b/c I believe I am who I am regardless) but because I want to use the most effective and genuine language in each situation. I am guilty of not being as aware as I should and using negative words out of laziness and habit. But, I also don’t think saying “That sucks” or “that pissed me off” is any worse than saying, “That’s awful” or “that makes me angry.” It is just according to what my point is. The first words get a reaction, so they can be highly effective when trying to rev someone up or get attention for some reason. The second set of words make more sense when simply trying to communicate with someone, one on one.
What a great reminder. I think we let the world become our boiling water and we are the frogs. At least for me. When I first became a Christian I watched every little word I said (before then I could make a sailor blush with my talk, little known fact about me!). As time goes on, the guard on my tongue is getting looser. I am getting comfortable again with “crap”. I have even dropped my guard against words that are not “bad” but are not, shall we say, beautiful. Once we get comfortable with those not bad but not pretty words, we get more comfortable with the bad, then eventually the ugly. I have to constantly remind myself “in the world not of the world” refers to every bit of my life, not just some. And that includes my talk. I want to be taken seriously when I am expressing myself, and that means sounding intellegent and communicating clearly.
A lot of times I slip into slang and less beautiful speech because it is just what I hear in my “crowd”. (And sometimes it is because I am frustrated or angry and let my guard down).
Thanks for reminding me that salt and light is for ALL situations.