Reflecting Christ Through Our Words

Photo by Sam Barber on Unsplash

He tilted his head back, swallowing the cold, creamy milk. Within seconds, the entire glass was empty.

“Were you thirsty?” I laughed.

“I guess I forgot how much I like milk! At college, I really haven’t been drinking milk. I think because I grew up drinking milk, I figured everybody else did too, but people at college don’t do things the way we do, Mom. I think we’re different.”

That’s an understatement, I thought.

“What else is different? Is there anything I didn’t teach you when you were homeschooled that would have been helpful in college?”

“Yes!”

“Really?  Like what?”

“Like swear words! Mom, it felt like I landed on a different planet and didn’t know the language for my first few days in the dorms. I kept typing 4-letter words into my phone to figure out what they meant. I understand why we don’t use them, but it would have been helpful to be prepared and at least know they existed.”

Good feedback from my wise son. He was a freshman in college eight years ago. If he were leaving for college this year, that conversation would have never happened. Why? Because expletives have become the norm. I hear inappropriate language while choosing produce at the grocery store, pumping gas, talking to my neighbor, and listening to politicians. What used to be reserved for rogue members of society has now infected portions of the population who would have never before considered using foul language. 

So why do people swear?  

I asked AI, which actually had a lot of positive character qualities regarding people who like to cuss. 

“People who swear frequently are often found to be more honest, expressive, and potentially more creative. They may also be more extraverted and have a more relaxed attitude towards social norms.”

Hmm. That’s very gracious, and not what I expected. But AI is not God. Does God give us any standards for language?  

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is…rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth.(Colossians 3:1, 3:8)

The comparison here is:

Filthy talk vs. Thanksgiving

Corrupting talk vs. Grace-filled speech

Obscene talk vs. Seeking Christ

If we are filled with thanksgiving, grace, and Jesus, then obscenities will not be loosely flying from our lips. "Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45b)  What is the overflow of your heart?  It will be evidenced by the words you speak. 

If you are struggling in this area, meditate on God’s word until your speech is transformed.  Read God’s Word. Memorize God’s Word. Listen to God’s Word. Do it until your life looks like this:

God’s Word In - God’s Word Out

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

First published in Pursuing Perfection on Substack by © Tessa Lind, tessalind.substack.com