Use Words Befitting a Christian
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting. Proverbs 10:32
When George H. W. Bush was running for President of the United States in 1988, he admitted he’d made an inappropriate remark about American journalist Dan Rather and White House correspondent Lesley Stahl after an on-air confrontation. Bush referred to Rather in an unprintable term, and also took God’s name in vain in speaking about the Columbia Broadcasting System. When confronted, he said, ‘If I’d known the microphone was on I wouldn’t have taken the Lord’s name in vain, and I apologize for that.’ The fact is, he shouldn’t have said it whether the tape was running or not. Remember, God’s tape is always running! The Bible says, ‘A man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths’ (Proverbs 5:21). Centuries ago Jesus declared: ‘There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs’ (Luke 12:2-3). Take a moment and consider these two Scriptures: ‘The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil’ (Proverbs 15:28). ‘The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse’ (Proverbs 10:32). The first Scripture tells you that a wise person will think before he or she speaks, because they realize every word has a consequence. The second Scripture tells you that a righteous person automatically knows what’s acceptable, and keeps in mind the fact that God hears every word.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep my words in check and not to say anything that is not reflective of being a Christian. Forgive me for the times when I have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
God hears us even if you do not speak it – this is why we need to ask for forgiveness for our thoughts – they are just as condemning as visual sins. Granted life will be easier in this world without the visual or verbal sins but just because we might not have the visual or verbal sins does not mean we will be going to heaven. Only faith in Christ’s death and resurrection will get us there. Ask for forgiveness sincerely and often! We do not deserve it BUT God has given us forgiveness if we ask.