Not all four-letter words are bad, but this term is often used to describe the ones that are. Offensive to some, but used by many as everyday language, we encounter these words often. It used to be that such language was reserved for when someone was angry or extremely upset by something or someone, but not anymore. Many folks can’t say one sentence without inserting an f-word into it. How did we get so far away from the common decency us older folks were raised around? Who decided this fowl language was no longer disrespectful and deserved to be uttered at any time and in any place?
I long for the days when TV shows were censored and lines were drawn that no one dared to cross. Fowl mouths were washed out with soap by a mother who refused to utter such words herself. But then, someone determined it was important to face reality and for all to see and hear how life really is…full of filth and four-letter words. We were hindering the art of acting and refusing to face facts if nudity and bad language was banned from our entertainment. Why should TV shows and movies reflect only how good life could be and should be? Don’t we have a responsibility to our youth to show them how people really live and that the good guy doesn’t always finish first; they don’t always wear white hats? The ugliness of life needs to be revealed, they said, in order to deal with it.
This philosophy is fine…if you’re a psychiatrist and dealing with such issues, but why does the world of drugs, sex, crime and injustice always have to be first and foremost in our thoughts and imaginings? Why can’t the good guy always win and families be portrayed as loving and caring people with no bad vices or hidden psychotic urges? What’s wrong with showing kids how life should and could be? Is an occasional escape from reality so bad if your own reality is often unbearable?
Another place these four-letter words seem to have settled comfortably is in the life of many Christians. “They’re just words,” the defense often is: “It’s how people talk nowadays, so just get over it,” Well, I think we all have just ‘gotten over’ too many things and trying to stop it now seems impossible, but I have some advice for many ‘Christians’ today. If it was wrong fifty years ago, it’s wrong today. The lines between right and wrong have not been erased, just too often ignored by way too many of us for way too long. It’s time to sharpen those lines and place them so all can see.
I see Christians posting and re-posting all kinds of things on Facebook every day and many with offensive words. As Christians we need to be careful and refuse to post anything that is not helpful or inspiring without being offensive. Not only is God watching, others who are considering becoming followers of Jesus are watching too and we must not do anything to turn them away or hinder their decision for Christ…especially the little children. In Luke 17: 2 Jesus tells His disciples: “It is impossible offenses (stumbling blocks) will come: but woe unto him through whom they come. 3 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
New believers were often referred to by Jesus as “little children” or “little ones.” New believers are easily confused at times and if they see others who profess to be Christians acting in unchristian ways, they take this behavior as acceptable… But God tells us otherwise in Matthew 12:36 …every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
The world can do what it wants, but as Christians we do not have that priviledge. To be called true followers of Christ we must try our best to meet the standards and responsibilities He sets for us. He reminds us often, we are not of the world, but of God. Some of God’s actual four-letter words are: life, love, hope, pure, kind, care…the list goes on. Let’s make these words a part of our lives and honor Him in all we do, say or post. No man is an island. We are responsible for each other.
I’m not suggesting that bad things do not exist or should be ignored instead of dealt with. I’m just saying that we, as Christians, should never add to the filth or condone it by using language that is not pleasing to Jesus or uplifting to others. Words are important and what comes out of our mouth shows what is in our hearts. The Lord looks not at the countenance of a man, but He looks at our heart. We are told in James 4: 8 Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh (close) to you. Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts…
Let’s ask God to search our hearts and point out what we need to change so that our words will be pleasing to Him and encouraging to those around us. Ephesians 5:19 tells us to be: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. What better time for singing and filling our hearts with melody than during this holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus? May all our words be filled with life and love… for the One who gave His life for us.
