The
Bible’s Viewpoint
“Out
of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. It is not proper, my
brothers, for these things to go on occurring this way.”—JAMES 3:10.
THE ability to speak is one unique trait that
separates us from the animals. Sadly, some people misuse this privilege.
Insults, cursing, profanity, blasphemy, vulgarities, and obscene language can
hurt—sometimes more than physical injuries. “There exists the one speaking
thoughtlessly as with the stabs of a sword,” says the Bible.—Proverbs 12:18.
More and more people swear and curse
routinely. Schools are reporting an increase in the use of foul language by
children. Some people claim, though, that hurtful speech can be beneficial when
used for emotional release. A student of political science wrote: “Using foul
language should be a powerful act, when normal vocabulary just doesn’t convey
the richness of our feelings.” Should Christians have such a casual attitude
toward hurtful speech? How does God feel about it?
Abhor Obscene Jesting
Obscene language is not a modern phenomenon.
Would it surprise you to learn that people used obscene speech in the days of
the apostles, nearly 2,000 years ago? For example, it appears that some in the
Colossian congregation used obscenities when angered. They may have done so to
attack or hurt others intentionally, perhaps in retaliation. Likewise, many
people today use obscene speech in outbursts of anger. Hence, Paul’s letter to
the Colossians is relevant in our day. Paul wrote: “Put them all away from you,
wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth.”
(Colossians 3:8) Clearly, Christians are admonished to avoid outbursts of anger
and the obscene language that so often go hand in hand with anger.
Granted, many use obscenities with no
intention of attacking or injuring others. Likely, obscene language is most
often used in a casual manner. Vile expressions thus become deeply entrenched
in everyday speech. Some even find it hard to communicate without the use of
expletives. Oftentimes, obscene language is even used to elicit laughter. But
should such obscene jesting be viewed as a lesser, more tolerable offense?
Consider the following.
Obscene jesting is shocking language intended
to amuse others. Today obscene jesting is mostly sex-oriented. And many who
consider themselves decent people find such language entertaining. (Romans
1:28-32) It is not surprising, then, that both natural and unnatural sexual
behaviors are the subject matter of many professional comedians. Obscene
jesting is featured in many movies as well as in television and radio programs.
The Bible is not silent on the subject of
obscene jesting. The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus: “Let
fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned
among you, just as it befits holy people; neither shameful conduct nor foolish
talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming.” (Ephesians
5:3, 4) Clearly, obscene language, regardless of its intent, is offensive
to God. It is bad. It is speech that injures.
Harsh Words That
Displease God
Injurious speech certainly encompasses much
more than obscene language. Insults, sarcasm, mockery, and harsh criticism can
hurt deeply. Admittedly, we all sin with our tongue, especially in the
environment of sarcasm and backbiting that prevails around us. (James 3:2)
Still, true Christians should never adopt a casual attitude toward abusive speech.
The Bible establishes clearly that Jehovah God disapproves of all speech that
injures.
For instance, in the Bible book of Second
Kings, we learn of a group of boys who verbally harassed the prophet Elisha.
The account says that they “began to jeer him” and “kept saying to him: ‘Go up,
you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!’” Jehovah, who could read the hearts of
these young ones and see their malicious intent, took their verbal abuse very
seriously. The account says that God put 42 boys to death because of their
abusive speech.—2 Kings 2:23, 24.
The people of Israel “were continually making
jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking at
his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there
was no healing.” (2 Chronicles 36:16) Although God’s rage was principally
incited by his people’s idolatrous and disobedient course, it is noteworthy
that the Bible specifically mentions the verbal abuse directed at God’s
prophets. This highlights God’s outright disapproval of such conduct.
Accordingly, the Bible admonishes Christians:
“Do not severely criticize an older man.” (1 Timothy 5:1) This principle
could be applied to our dealings with everyone. The Bible encourages us “to
speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable,
exhibiting all mildness toward all men.”—Titus 3:2.
Keeping Our Lips in
Check
At times, the urge to attack someone verbally
could be hard to resist. When wronged, a person might feel justified in
punishing the offender with cruel, harsh words—either to his face or behind his
back. Still, Christians resist such an urge. Proverbs 10:19 states: “In the
abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression, but the one keeping
his lips in check is acting discreetly.”
God’s angels set a good example. They are
aware of all the wrong that is done by humankind. Although the angels are
greater than man in strength and power, they do not bring against humans an
accusation in abusive terms, “not doing so out of respect for Jehovah.” (2 Peter
2:11) Knowing that God is fully aware of everyone’s wrongdoing and is fully
capable of correcting matters, the angels keep their lips in check. Michael,
the chief of all angels, refrained from using abusive terms, even against the
Devil.—Jude 9.
Christians strive to imitate the angels. They
follow the Bible admonition: “Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine
things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be
peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to
the wrath; for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.’”—Romans
12:17-19.
Interestingly, even the tone and volume of
our voice can add a hurtful edge to what we say. It is not uncommon for
husbands and wives to hurt each other in shouting matches. Many parents often
scream at their children. However, there is no need for us to scream when
expressing our feelings. The Bible urges: “Let all malicious bitterness and
anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you.”
(Ephesians 4:31) The Bible also says that “a slave of the Lord does not need to
fight, but needs to be gentle toward all.”—2 Timothy 2:24.
Words That Heal
Because of the prevalence of abusive and
obscene speech today, Christians should have a strategy to resist this harmful
influence. The Bible provides a good strategy, namely, to love our neighbor.
(Matthew 7:12; Luke 10:27) Genuine concern and love for neighbor will motivate
us always to use words that heal. The Bible says: “Let a rotten saying not
proceed out of your mouth, but whatever saying is good for building up as the
need may be, that it may impart what is favorable to the hearers.”—Ephesians
4:29.
Also, the implanting of the Word of God in
our minds helps us to avoid speech that injures. Reading and meditating on the
Holy Scriptures can help us to “put away all filthiness.” (James 1:21) Yes, the
Word of God can heal our minds.
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