Keep It Clean

I’ve always heard that foul language is not only tolerated in football locker rooms and on the field, it’s expected.

But the way I see it, using abusive language toward officials will only get your team penalized or get you ejected from the game. The same language, if used in a television interview, would draw a fine, suspension, or firing.

If you use foul language on a regular basis and brush it off as “I’m just kidding around,” people will lose their trust in you and it could damage relationships forever. They won’t know whether they can trust you enough to bring something serious for your counsel or input.

What do you do when someone hurts you by saying mean things? If it is directed personally toward me, I can handle it easier than if someone hurts or tries to hurt someone I love. In that case, my first instinct is for the gloves to come off. My better instincts cause me to wrap my loved one within my protective embrace and try not to make the situation worse by lowering myself to the same level of bitterness, harshness, anger, or slander being thrown at them.

None of this is easy to do. In fact, we have to ask Christ to control our thoughts, words, responses, and behavior. When we do, we bring honor and glory to Him—for all of the world to see.

His Promises

Don’t use foul or abusive language. . . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.